Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CLOWGANG, KLO-GANG, Clogang, Klovgeng, Klivgeng, -gæng, Cloggand, n. [′klɔugɑŋ, ′klogɑŋ Ork.; ′kløvgɛŋ, ′klɪvgɛŋ Sh.]
1. “A herd of cloven-footed animals in motion; a herd of driven cows, or esp. a flock of driven sheep. Also metaph. of a crowd of people, a flock of horses (in motion or being driven)” (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), klovgeng; also 1866 Edm. Gl., klivgæng; 1914 Angus Gl., klivgeng).Ork. 1908 J. Firth in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. I. viii. 307:
The sheep of each township were called a clowgang, and always kept by themselves in moving from one piece of pasture to another.
†2. “A particular portion of pasture-ground, whether commonty or inclosed, to which sheep or cattle have become attached in consequence of having been accustomed to feed there” (Ork. 1825 Jam.2; 1866 Edm. Gl., cloggand); “the sheep-walk of a district” (Ork. 1929 Marw.).Ork. 1929 Marw.:
In 1705, there was a general complaint by parishioners of Deerness against the sheep of the Indyke Clogang, which were turned loose to the hill without hank or herd and came again within the dyke. From this it appears that there were “klo-gangs” within the tunship dykes as well as outside.
3. Fig. One's native place or environment. Klow-grund is also used in this sense (Marw.). For similar extension in meaning, cf. Burekens.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
He's no sae noisy when he's aff o' his ain klo-gang.
