Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BUCHANITE, n. One of a sect of religious fanatics, founded about 1780 by a Mrs Buchan, the wife of a Glasgow dyer. She was assisted by a young preacher, White, whom she had converted. See MacTaggart's Gallv. Encycl. 97 for further details. Hist.Ayr. 1784 Burns in Letters (ed. J. Ferguson 1931) I. 18–19:
Their tenets are a strange jumble of enthusiastic jargon; among others, she [Mrs Buchan] pretends to give them the Holy Ghost by breathing on them, which she does with postures and practices that are scandalously indecent; they have likewise disposed of all their effects and hold a community of goods, and live nearly an idle life.Gall.(D) 1901 Trotter Gall. Gossip 346:
Lucky dee't, hooever, an the angels forgat tae come, an sae the puir Buchanites had joost tae dee too, an be bury't like ither folk, an tak their chance o' gaun tae heaven in the usual wey.
