Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

GABERTS, n.pl. Also gabers and sing. form gabbart.

†1. “A kind of gallows, of wood or stone, erected for supporting the wheel to which the rope of a draw-well is fixed” (Ags. 1808 Jam.).

2. †(1) “Three poles of wood, erected and forming an angle at the top, for weighing hay” (Ib.); (2) a form of scaffolding used by builders, as in quots. (Cai., Abd., Per., Ayr. 1953). Also attrib. in sing.(2) Dmb. 1863 St Andrews Gaz. (7 Nov.): 
The gabbart scaffolding, 140 feet in height, erected for the completion of the spire of the new Free Church.Sc. 1906 G. Ellis Mod. Pract. Carpentry, Gl. 360:
Gabers Scaffold(s). Those made with deals or square timbers.Abd. 1920 A. Robb MS.:
A' the heich wark wis to point aff the gaberts and his [us] that wis young and swack got a' the climbin' to dee.Sc. 1946 Spons' Builders' Pocket-Bk. 440:
Gabbart Scaffold: Standards of three deals or battens bolted together. Ledgers of one deal or batten passing between the two outer pieces, the middle piece being interrupted to allow it (the ledger) to pass.