Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
INLAY, n. Sc. usage: the diverting of water to a mill or the like.Kcb. 1788 Dmf. Weekly Jnl. (22 April):
A Cotton Mill, or other machinery works, having a never-failing source of water, of the easiest inlay.
Hence inlayer, inlair, the channel carrying water, e.g. to a mill-wheel; a small dam leading into such a channel.Rnf. 1715 Brigend Papers MSS. 26:
Two damms as to stane wark with Laid Inlayer and damm Trees.Gsw. 1771 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1912) 647:
The mill situated on the Water of Kelvine, . . . with the ditch, aqueduct dam and inlair.Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 314:
Inlayer: In distinction of the great dam, a small dam setting the water into the lade or canal leading it to the mill.Rnf. 1845 Stat. Acc. VII. 360:
A net is fixed on a wooden frame . . . and fixed to the inlair or breast of the dam. If a fish cannot completely clear the inlair and reach the deep water beyond, he falls back, and is, in his descent, intercepted by the cruive.
