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.
OFFICIARY, n. A division in a large Highland estate, each division being orig. under the care of one ground officer. The usage had specif. reference to the once huge Breadalbane estates in Perthshire.Per. 1749 W. A. Gillies Famed Breadalbane (1938) 318:
All or most of the People in the Officiary of Taymouth.Per. 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Per. 39:
The great estates are divided into officiaries, each consisting of an ancient barony, or a tract of land sufficient to entitle the possessor to the privileges of a baron of the realm, provided he held his land of the crown. In each of these districts resides a ground-officer, from which circumstance they have derived their modern appellation.Sc. 1902 N.E.D. (re Breadalbane Estate):
There are 13 officiaries on the Perthshire Estate under the care of only 2 Ground Officers.Per. 1936 Survey Lochtayside (S.H.S.) 27:
Under him, in each officiary, was a Ground Officer who had certain duties such as supervising the services due from the tenants, looking after the woods, and arranging for the decision of disputes.
