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.
ODIN, prop.n. The chief of the gods in Norse mythology, in phr.: promise of Odin, a promise of marriage formerly held sacred by some of the inhabitants of Orkney, made by the contracting parties joining hands through a hole in the “black stone of Odin”, a standing stone which formerly stood beside the Loch of Stenness (Ork. 1866 Edm. Gl.).Ork. 1792 Trans. Soc. Antiq. Scot. I. 263:
A young man had seduced a girl under promise of marriage, and she proving with child, was deserted by him. The young man was called before the Session; the elders were particularly severe. Being asked by the minister the cause of so much rigour, they answered, You do not know what a bad man this is; he has broke the promise of Odin. Being further asked . . . they put him in mind of the stone at Stenhouse with the round hole in it, and added, that it was customary, when promises were made, for the contracting parties to join hands through this hole; and the promises so made were called the promises of Odin.Ork. 1964:
The pre-1906 Kirk of Stenness had a door in each end, and a couple could end the promise of Odin by entering the Church together and leaving by separate doors.
