Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

CANNACH, Canna, Canna Down, n. The cotton-grass, Eriophorum vaginatum; “often used, by the common people, instead of feathers, for stuffung their. pillows” (Ags. 1808 Jam., canna down). Known to Abd.⁹, Ags.¹, Arg.¹, Fif.¹⁰ 1938 in form canna (down).Sc. 1803 A. Grant Poems 42:
The downy cannach of the wat'ry moors, Whose shining tufts the shepherd-boy allures.Sc. 1804 J. Grahame The Sabbath 23:
Where the leafless cannachs wave their tufts Of silky white.Sc. 1810 Scott Lady of the Lake ii. xv.:
My dull ears catch no filtering breeze . . . Still is the canna's hoary beard.Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick II. x.:
Listen — wasna yon a skreigh? I think it'll ne'er gae out o' my min'. I ditted my ears with canna down, but it ne'er gaes owre [overcomes] the ring.Edb. 1852 D. M. Moir Poet. Works I. 76:
And sang the hoary cannach, Upon the casual wind, A dirge for generations That left no trace behind.