Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hede-, Heid-burgh, n. Also: -browch, -brughe; head(e)-burghe, -bourgh. Pl. -burghs, -brughis; -burrowis, -borrowes. [ME. (once) hæfedd-burrh (Orm), OE. héafod-burh. In later use only Sc.] The principal town (of a particular district); the capital (of a shire or barony). 1510 Crim. Trials I. 67.
Geif thair be ony that pakis or pelis … outwith the hedeburghe, sik as Leithe and uther unfre portis 1524 Carnwath Baron Ct. 25.
To keip the vs of the heidbrowch bath of met & mesour of breid & aill 1555 Acts II. 493/1.
To be warnit at the mercat croce of the heid burgh of the schire 1586 Digest Justiciary Proc. L. 26.
The toun being the heid brughe of the baronie 1633 Acts V. 14/1.
The whole head borrowes of the schirefdomes, … and regalities within this kingdome c1650 Spalding I. 6.
At the heid brughes of sindrie schires