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.
‡MERKISTER, n. Also mercister. A patch or strip of unfenced grassland, either separating cultivated strips of land or left as unsuitable for cultivation (Ork. 1962).Ork. 1706 Bailie Court Case in Marwick The Orkney Norn 113:
It is complained by the parishoners that a great Custom by severall in the paroch to take ther beasts in mercisters and roads for eating the Gras yrof by doing qrof the corns are eaten troden down and abused and it likways occassons great disorder among neighbours.Ork. 1913 Old-Lore Misc. VI. i. 26:
While herding the kine in the merkister (a narrow strip of grass land enclosed on three sides by growing corn).
