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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Northland, n. Also: northe-, northt- and -lande. [OE. norðland the northern part of a country, ON. norðr-land, Germ., Da., Sw. nordland. Only Sc. Also in the later dial. Cf. also Norland.] The northern part of Scotland, north of Tay and the Grampians; the north and, esp., north-east. = North n. 3 b, North cuntré. c1475 Wall. ix. 574.
Schyr Jhon Sewart that weyll the northland kend 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 121.
To the Bisschope of Brechingis man that com to the King with tythingis furth of the northtlande 1490 Ib. 173.
To pas in the northland 1512 Reg. Privy S. 371/2.
The Kingis assise hering of the eist seys of the realm in all partis baith northland and southland 1515 Treas. Acc. V. 52. 1535 Stewart 54019. 1538 Treas. Acc. VII. 92.
For passing with lettres to all the sey portis be north Forth and Tay and all the northland 1538–9 Ib. 185.
For passing with siclike writingis in Angus, Mernis, Aberden and the northland 1539 Ib. 258. 1539–40 Ib. 282. 1541 Ib. 451.
For passing with lettres to Aberden and uther burrois in the northtland 1571 St. A. Kirk S. 354.
He had ane heretrice of the northtland to bring to this town a1578 Pitsc. I. 112/11. Ib. II. 177/19.
The earle … convoyit the Kingis maiestie in the northt land 1588 Conv. Burghs I. 287.

b. Attrib. and comb.(1) c1475 Wall. ix. 646.
The northland lordis saw na help cum thaim till 1523 Treas. Acc. V. 231.
Proclamit in Leith and Quenis-ferre that na northt land men returne oure the watter 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 251.
The Erle Sotherland and the northtland folkis 1570 Leslie 211. Ib.
Sum northland men quha appertenit to the Erle of Huntlie a1578 Pitsc. II. 12/26.
Vther hieland men and mony northland men in the Meirnis and Angus Ib. 117/11.
Our northland lordis and lairdis 1622-6 Bisset I. 71/15.
Ane northland man borne on the wattirsyde of Die Ib. 235/28.
Northtland men 1622 Perth Kirk S. MS. 23 May.
Ane northland woman haueing cum to Perth c1630 Scot Narr. 100.
Mr. Patrick Blackburne, minister at Aberdeen, was chosen … by plurality of votes, especially of the … northland ministers 1638 Baillie I. 70.
Grant and the northland clanes 1639 Ib. 193.
Alwayes such course was taken at Perth with the northland gentrie 1641 Ib. 368. 1641 Acts V. (1817) 585/1.
All … veschellis cuming … within this kingdome … for northland victuellers 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 24.
For the mantenance of the northland armie and help of the Scots army in Ingland 1669 Gunn Lyne & Megget 56.
A northland womancomb. 1650 Brechin Presb. 37.
That a northland-born man … hantit to thair hous(2) 1552 Reg. Privy C. I. 129.
And northland seyis(3) 1591 Edinb. Test. XXIII. 313.
xij elnes … of northland plaiding at ix s. the doubill elne 1605 Ib. XL. 33 b.
Ane pair of northland doubill blankettis price iiij li. 1610 Ib. XLVI. 112 b.
Ane pair of northland plaidis 1615 Haddington Mem. II. 289. 1647 Caldwell P. 99.
4 elnes of northland tueill 1661 Edinb. Test. LXX. 152.
My wyfs northland plaidis(4) 1594 Edinb. Test. XXVI. 268.
Thrie barrellis northland salmond at xviij li. the barrell(5) 1586–7 Crawford Mun. Invent. II. 183 (1 Mar.).
My northland weyage 1592–3 Stirling Merch. Guild 2.
The reid made of befoir to Peibleis and the northeland reid now instant 1600 Edinb. B. Rec. V. 265. 1615 Melrose P. 612*.
His northland journay(6) 1638 Rothes Affairs Kirk 110.
The noblemen at Edinburgh haveing red this the northland dilligence, wer verrie weill pleased therwith