Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
ROUTH, n.2 Also rooth(e), ruth, rowth. [I.Sc. ruθ; Cai., Bnff. rʌuθ]
1. The act of rowing, a long spell at the oars (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 188, rooth, 1908 Jak. (1928), ruth, Sh. 1968).Sh. 1899 Shetland News (15 July):
We . . . never lint fil we laid up i' Scolla's saet, an' I needna tell you, Magnus, what a rooth dat is.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
A long rowth.
2. That part of the gunwale of a boat on which the oar rests in rowing, a clamp of hard wood or iron protecting the gunwale from the friction caused by the oar (Sh. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XII. 188, 1866 Edm. Gl.; Cai. 1904 E.D.D.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl., Sh. 1968, ruth, Cai., Bnff. 1968, rowth). Also rowth-iron, id. (Cai. 1968).Ork. 1904 Dennison Sketches 4:
He an' his men teuk aff deir stockin's, cutted dem apen i' the feet, an' drew them ower the ayres, sae 'at they might no' mak' noise i' the roothes.Sh. 1938 M. Powell 200,000 Feet on Foula 219:
Shetland boats are not fitted with effete Southern gadgets like rowlocks: instead they have a kabe, which they stick into the ruths; round the kabe and the oar they twist a hommliband — and are all set.Sh. 1959 New Shetlander No. 50. 9:
The “ruth” is separate and nailed to the wale, and is sometimes continuous over the whole length of the rowing side.
