Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BEAL, n.² A narrow mountain pass. Cf. Bealach; Balloch, n.¹Sc. 1819 Scott Leg. of Montrose viii.:
The difficult passes, precipices, corries, and beals, through which he said the road lay to Inverary.Abd. 1901 Bnffsh. Jnl. (19 Feb.) 2:
O dinna tempt me wi' a beal Sae far awa as Bogie.