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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Pillorie, Pillarie, -y, n. Also: -erie. [ME. and e.m.E. pill-, pyllory (1274–5), pillori (a 1300), pyllary (1530), also pilory (c 1325), pilery, pylary (15th c.), pylery (1575), also pullery (1393), pelory (north., 15th c.), OF. pellori (1168 in OED.), pilori (13th c. in Godef.), pillori, etc., also pilloire (16th c.), med. L. (Latham.) pilloria (a 1190), -ius, pillor (c 1370), pillory, med. L. pilare, pilarium, -ius (du Cange), f. L. pīla pier, pillar, Pile n.² Cf. also Pillar n.]

1. A stake or post ( ? usu. with attached framework) to which, or into which, were fastened wrong-doers sentenced to be put on public display.In the quot. from Alex. (Taym.), used to display the ashes of an executed criminal. 1434 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 390.
The brede to be eschet and he to be putt on the pillary c1460 Alex. (Taym.) 19504.
The fatheris bodie [was] … brint … The powder syne … cloisit weill … And syne with cheingȝeis festinit sickerlie And hangit hie vp till ane pillarie c1575 Balfour Pract. 70.
The baxter sall be put to the pillorie 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Collistridivm.
Collistridivm … may be called joggs … [In Burgh Laws] it is called ane pillorie or stocks or onie band quhair with the craig or hals is bund Id. Reg. Maj. 134.
[The thief] sall be put vpon the pillorie 1613 Inverness Rec. II. 110.
For they demerits they [= thy] lug to be nailit to the pillarie at the cross [1646 J. Maxwell] Burthen Issachar (1646) B 2 (see Jogis n.). 1647 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 116. 1652 Scotland and the Commonwealth 356 (see Pikkadilloon n.). 1675 Bonckle Kirk S. 47.
To Paull Cowes wright, 4 lib. for erecting the pillorie

2. ? Put for, or ? erron. for, Pillar n. 1 d. 1606 Acts Sederunt ii. 38.
To cause big mak and erect ane pillerie [Bisset pillare, Hope pillar] of hewin stane neir to the mercat croce of Edinburgh, upon the heid thairof ane sait, and place to be maid quhairupoun … sall be sett all dyvoris