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.
BURNOCK, n., prop.n.
1. n. A type of curling stone; “still in common use among curlers and almost black in colour when polished” (Ayr. 1937 (per Ayr.8)). Ayr. 1828 J. Dunlop Descr. and Hist. Sk. Curling 51:
Those [curling stones] most extensively used in the West of Scotland are called Burnocks.Ayr. 1884 J. Taylor Curling 360:
“Burnocks,” got out of the Burnock water, in Ochiltree, Ayrshire, have long held a high place in curlers' esteem. They are a beautiful mixed grey, and are durable and keen.
2. prop.n. The name of a tributary of the Lugar Water in Ayr. from which curling stones are obtained. Hence Burnock (water), (stane) (see quots.). Sc. 1874 Channel-Stane (1883) I. 22:
"Burnocks", got out of the Burnock water in Ochiltree, Ayrshire, have long held a high place in curlers' esteem.Sc. 1890 J. Kerr Hist. Curling 380:
Burnocks, Crawfordjohns, and Blantyres are neither too keen on keen ice nor too dull on dull ice.
