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.
LAMMERMUIR, prop.n. Also Lam(m)ermoor. The range of hills and moorland dividing the plain of Lothian from the plain of the Tweed in Berwickshire, well known as sheep country. Hence phr. a Lammermuir lion, jocularly used for a sheep. Cf. Eng. †Cotswold lion, id. [′lɑmərmjuər, locally -me:r]Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 380:
You look like a Lamermoor Lyon. Lamermoor is a large Sheep Walk in the East of Scotland.Bwk. 1856 G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes 103:
He's as bold as a Lammermoor Lion.m.Lth. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick ix.:
“As bauld as a lion!” “Ay, a Lammermuir lion,” says I.
