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.
NORTHERN, adj. Also nordern (Kcb. 1901 R. Trotter Galt. Gossip 284); noardren, -in (Sh.). Sc. usages in combs.: 1. northern hareld, the long-tailed duck, Clangula hiemalis (Abd. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 162). Cf. Harle; 2. Northern Meeting, the name given to the annual social meeting and Highland Games held at Inverness.2. Inv. 1788 Orig. Prospectus of Northern Meeting (11 June):
An Annual Meeting of Gentlemen, Ladies, and their Families shall hold in this Place for the space of One Week . . . for the Purpose of promoting a Social Intercourse. . . . The Meeting shall be named the Northern Meeting.Sc. 1815 C. I. Johnstone Clan-Albin I. xvii.:
For some weeks past, previous to his debut at the “Northern Meeting”, at which I expect he will be able to dance a decent minuet.Sc. 1927 Colquhoun and Machell Highl. Gatherings 117:
The Northern Meeting in the first years of the Nineteenth century was the culminatory point of the Highland season. And so it is to-day.
