Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1795-1845, 1927
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SCARNACH, n., v. Also -och, -ogh, skarnoch, -ogh, squarnoch. [′skɑrnəx]
I. n. 1. Heaps or accumulations of loose stones on a hillside, a scree, a bed of detritus.Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 VIII. 415:
Rocks and stony parts, without even a mixture of earth. These parts are called Scarnachs.Per. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 X. 345:
Stupendous hills full of rocks and scarnachs, the haunts of foxes and ravenous birds.
2. A great number of anything, a multitude, of words (Ayr. 1825 Jam.), “a collection of children, an exhibition of glaring lights” (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 325–9, scarnoch, squarnoch). Now arch.Ayr. 1927 J. Carruthers A Man Beset i. vii.:
A glaikit lass to be carried awa' by a scarnoch o' coo-me-doo words aboot love in a cottage.
3. A noisy tumult (Lnk. 1825 Jam.).
II. v. Only in vbl.n. scarnoghin, a great noise (Ayr. 1825 Jam.).
[Gael. sgàirneach, = 1., the noise of the fall of such stones, a howling, rumbling noise.]
