Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DUCHAS, Duchus, Douches-, Touchass-, n. Gael. and hist. [′duxʌs]
1. “The paternal seat, the dwelling of a person's ancestors” (Nai. 1813 W. Leslie Agric. Nai. and Mry. 453, duchus).
2. “The possession of land by whatever right, whether by inheritance, by wadset, or by lease; if one's ancestors have lived in the same place” (Per. 1825 Jam.2).
Hence doucheser, touchasser, one who occupies land by duchas.Sc. 1774 T. Pennant Tour 1772 365, Foot-note:
They held their farms at a small rent, from father to son, by a kind of prescribed right, which the highlanders call'd Duchas.Inv. 1751 Report on the Sett of Badenoch MS. (Record Office):
[The tenants named] possess this room as douchessers.Inv. 1775 L. Shaw Hist. Moray 131:
Kinchyle was fued to William MacBean, whose ancestors had the Duchus or possession thereof for many generations.Bnff. 1749 V. Gaffney Lordship Strathavon (S.C.) 146:
Your
petitioner does not presume to address you as a touchasser nor to
assume the boldness to found the least expectation on the score of name
or clanship.Per. 1928 A. Stewart Highland Parish 84:
Had through his mother a duchas or kinship right to Glenlyon.
