Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
HARROWSTER, n. A spawned haddock (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 74).ne.Sc. 1881 Gregor Folk-Lore 146:
The saying about the spawned haddock, “harrowster,” or “kameril,” is that it is not good till it gets three dips in the “May flood.”ne.Sc. a.1897 W. Gregor MS. Notes in Cal. Customs Scot. II. 200:
Haddocks spawn during the last weeks of March and the first of May. For a few weeks they are lank and soft. Many of them are split up, salted, and sun-dried on the rocks along the beach. They are called “speldans,” “spellans,” “camerals” and “harrowsters.”
