Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BORROWIN(G) DAYS, BORROWED —, n.pl. “The three last days of March, Old Stile [sic]” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also found in sing. Gen.Sc.Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems II. 5:
Upon a Borrowing-day, when Sleet Made Twinters, and Hog-wedders bleet.Sc. 1801 J. Leyden (ed.) Compl. Scot., Gl. 314:
But when the borrowed days were gane, The three silly hogs came hirplin hame.Sh.(D) 1899 J. Spence Sh. Folk-Lore 117:
And the last three days of March, called the Borrowing Days, were generally expected to be boisterous.Edb. 1897 P. H. Hunter J. Armiger's Revenge xvi.:
I mind o' ae year when it started on the back o' the Martinmas term, an' we never saw the ground again till after the Borrowin' Days.Rxb. 1918 Kelso Chron. (6 April) 3/2:
What are known as the “borrowing days” have been characterised this year by one of the worst snowstorms known for many years.