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.
Quotation dates: 1716-1758, 1831-1880
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OCTO, n. A measure of arable land in Cai. and Sth., extending to a half-farthingland, or the eighth part of a Pennyland, q.v. Hist. [′ɔkto]Cai. 1716 J. E. Donaldson Cai. in 18th Cent. (1938) 91, 103:
Ane halfpenny land and half octo with haill houses, barns, byres, mosses . . . and all pertinents belonging thereto . . . Ane half octo land presently possest be Isobell Millar with ane octo land to be riven out off the mains off Mey.Cai. 1758 Session Papers, Threipland v. Sinclair, Disposition A. Sinclair 6:
The Town and Lands of Myreland norn, extending to a Croft and three Octos of Land.Sc. 1831 J. Logan Sc. Gael. (1876) II. 81:
In Lochaber the land is reckoned by pence, farthings, and octos.Sth. 1880 Trans. Highl. Soc. 19:
An octo, of course, is 1 acre or a boll sowing, but this varies in proportion to the quality of the land — when of a superior quality the quantity is less, and vice versa.
