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.
HATCH, n.1 Sc. usage: the sledge used in the Up-Helly-Aa celebrations to carry tar-barrels, freq. made from a ship's hatch.Sh. 1948 C. E. Mitchell Up-Helly-Aa 17:
The sledge or platform, on which the tubs [of tar] were placed was known as the “hatch,” no doubt from its similarity to a ship's hatch.
