Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
MARTIN BULLION, n. Also Martin o(f) Bullion, Mark —; Marco Bullion, Marcabillin; Martin Bulg; Maitlan Bulg (Kcd. 1914 T.S.D.C.). In combs. Martin Bullion's day, Martinabullimus (-mass), -day, the day of the Feast of the translation of St. Martin, 4th July [old style], 15th July [new style], St. Swithin's day (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Bnff.2 1937; Sh. 1962). Cf. Bullion's Day, Bulgan's Day.Sh. 1822 S. Hibbert Descr. Shet. 512:
I tink Martinabullimus dae fearnyear wis da warst dae I ever saw.Sc. 1864 R. Chambers Book of Days II. 20:
In Scotland this [4 July] used to be called St. Martin of Bullion's Day, and the weather which prevailed upon it was supposed to have a prophetic character. It was a proverb that if the deer rise dry and lie down dry on Bullion's Day, it was a sign there would be a good gose-harvest.Abd. 1898 Sc. Antiquary XII. 138:
St. Martin's day was known on Donside as “Martin Bulg's Day”; in the Buchan district of Aberdeenshire it is called “Marcabillin's Day”.
