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.
†RUFFIE, n.1 Also ruffy; roughie. [′rʌfe]
1. A torch or primitive type of light made from a brand of log fir or a wick of rag smeared with tallow (Peb., Gall. 1808 Jam.; Lnk. 1822 G. R. Kinloch MS.); specif. a torch used when fishing for salmon at night (Slk., Cld. 1825 Jam.; Sc. 1829 Scott Guy M. xxvi. note). Hist.Kcb. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 IX. 328:
When the goodman of the house made family worship, they lighted a ruffy, to enable him to read the psalm.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxi.:
Candles nae doubt, and roughies.s.Sc. 1885 W. Scrope Salmon Fishing 219:
They may talk o' ruffies and birk bark baith, but gi'e me a good heather licht.ne.Sc. 1889 Northern N. & Q. III. 32:
Another light called the “Ruffy” was sometimes used in the country, being a roughly extemporised light got by twisting or plaiting cotton rags and dipping them in tallow.Cai. 1907 J. Horne County of Cai. 123:
When a brand was needed to show a stranger to his bed in the “cellar”, or to fetch peats from the stackyard, the root of a decayed fir-tree (called the “ruffy”) was lit.
2. A withered bough or piece of brushwood. This usage is somewhat doubtful.Sc. 1815 Scott Guy M. liv.:
Laying the roughies to keep the cauld wind frae you.
