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.
BENLIN, BENLEEN, n.1 “A stone (oblong) which hung in the loop of the straw or heather ‘simmons' (rope) to secure the thatch of a house or stack” (Cai.3 1931). [′bɛnlɪn Ork.; Cai. + ′bɛnlin]Ork. 1929 Marw.:
In building a stack — “Are thoo up tae the b[enlins] yet?”Cai. 1915 “B” in John o' Groat Jnl. (25 June):
A divot reef, thacked owre wi' care, wi' benleens slung across, The simmons were o' heather spun, the thackin' was o' floss.
Comb.: benlin-steen, id.Ork.(D) 1880 Dennison Orcad. Sk. Bk. 18:
De benlin' steens fell oot, an' de aesin' flags [eaves] fell in; an' the fleurs o' the lafts o' the ha' hoose teuk fire.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Benlin-steen, a stone, one of a row lying on the roof of a house above the “wa'-plates”; the “simmons” or straw ropes used in thatching are attached to these stones.
