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.
†MERCAL, n. Also merkal, merkol (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928)); markal, and reduced dim. form merkie-. In the old Ork. and Sh. wooden plough: a triangular piece of wood mortised into the lower end of the rear piece or stang, to which the sock was fixed, the head of a plough (Ork. 1825 Jam.; Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.; I.Sc. 1903 E.D.D.). For full description see Ork. 1814 J. Shirreff Agric. Ork. 51, 1903 G. Marwick Old Roman Plough (1936) 8–9. Comb. markal pin, merkie-, id. (Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Ork. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VII. 585:
A square hole is cut through the lower end of the beam, and the mercal, a piece of oak about 22 inches long introduced, which at the other end holds the sock and sky.Ork. 1814 J. Shirreff Agric. Ork. 51:
G, the merkie pin, to which the sock is affixed.Sh. 1821 Scott Pirate xviii.:
But what manners are to be expected in a country where folk call a pleugh-sock a markal?Ork. 1903 G. Marwick Old Roman Plough (1936) 8:
This sewchar soc or digger is fastened on a piece of wood of triangular shape called the markal pin; the sewchar is fastened on this markal pin with two nails, but before being fastened finally, a little hair out of the tail of a mare that has had two foals and a little of the hair of a cow that has had two calves, and also a little wool from a ewe that has had twin lambs, must be put round the point of the markal pin before the sewch or soc is finally fitted on.
