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.
Quotation dates: 1771, 1827-1828, 1904
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†BRECHAN, Brachan, Bracken, Breacan, n. Also brechkan (Inv. 1849 J. Paterson Royal Visit 78), a phonetic representation of the Gael. pronunciation [′brɛkɑn] A Highland plaid. [brɛxən, brɑxən, brɑkən; Gael. ′brɛkɑn]Sc. 1771 T. Pennant Tour in Scot. 1769 162–163:
Their brechan, or plaid, consists of twelve or thirteen yards of a narrow stuff, wrapt round the middle, and reaches to the knees: is often fastened round the middle with a belt, and is then called brechan-feal.Sc. 1827 Scott Highland Widow iv.:
I may wear the breacan at the gate of Fort-Augustus, if I like it.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxvi.:
I am as familiar with brogues and bracken as if I had worn them myself.Sc. 1904 Sir James the Rose in Ballads (ed. Child) No. 213 vii.:
He's turnd him right and round about And rowd him in his brechan.Nai. 1828 W. Gordon Poems 243:
His brachan frae Culloden moor, I gat it tattered sairly.
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"Brechan n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 8 May 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/brechan>
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