Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
GILSE, n. Variant form of Grilse, a young salmon (Dmf. 1723 W. McFarlane Geog. Coll. (S.H.S.) I. 383; Bwk.2 1950). Also in n.Eng. dial.Sc. 1701 J. Brand Descr. Orkney 32:
Within a few Miles also of the West end of the Mainland is the Loch of Stennis; . . . some Trouts, and Salmon-Gilses are found in it.Bwk. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 IV. 196–197:
The Tweed produces a great quantity of salmon, gilses, and whitling trout.Sc. 1803 Trans. Highl. Soc. II. 403:
In the months of July and August, these salmon fry come up gilses to the same rivers which they left when smoults in May.Sc. ?1816 Scott Letters (Cent. ed.) IV. 259:
We are catching young gilses faster than people care to eat them.s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 57:
By the term Gilse I mean young Salmon that have only been once to sea.
