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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.

†KELTIE, n.² Also kelty, kiltie. “A large glass or bumper, imposed under the notion of punishment on those who . . . do not drink fair” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). Also fig. a double dose (of punishment).Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck vii.:
Gie him a cup o' thy wrath; an' gin he winna tak that, gie him kelty.Sc. 1823 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 203:
Tak' my advice, and be aff, or by the Lord they'll gi'e ye kelty.Dmf. 1871 J. Palmer Poems 48:
And Charlie Napier's just the lad That Nick will find a Tartar; He'll gie him kiltie at Cronstadt Or somewhere that quarter.Per. 1879 P. R. Drummond Bygone Days 66:
Any full-grown masculine guest who was found disposing of any portion of his drink in an illegitimate way was peremptorily called upon by the chair to drink “Kelty,” or another glass.

Phrs.: (1) keltie's mends, — mense, see 1795 quot. and Mends; (2) to be cleared kelty aff, to have an empty glass.(1) Per. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XVIII. 474:
[There] was a trooper much celebrated for his ability in drinking intoxicating liquors. Among the laird of Tulliebole's vassals, there was one named Keltie, . . . equally renowned for the same kind of dangerous pre-eminence. . . . They agreed to meet early on a Monday morning . . . They continued to drink, till the Wednesday evening, when the trooper fell from his seat seemingly asleep. Keltie took another quaff . . . to show that he was conqueror, and this gave rise to a proverb, well known all over this country, Keltie's Mends, and nothing is more common, at this very day, when one refuses to take his glass, than to be threatened with Keltie's Mends.Rnf. 1813 G. MacIndoe Wandering Muse 138:
Auld “kelty's mense” was his impost, Wha' e'er was camsheugh haird, The sang, the bumper, or the toast, Refuse nae member dar'd.(2) Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxviii.:
Gentlemen, fill a brimmer . . . Are ye a' cleared kelty aff? — Fill anither.