Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BARR, n. [bɒ:r]

1. (See quot.)Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 49:
Barrs. Large hills, ridges, etc. What a number of barr-hills there are in Galloway.

2. See quot. Abd. 1949 W. Diack Granite Industry 29: 
There is, of course, a considerable depth of "barr," as it is termed locally, near the surface of some of the granite deposits in Aberdeenshire, and this second-rate material, of little value for building purposes, has to be cleared away before the good quality rock is reached.