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.
SCOUT, n.4 Also skout, scoot, skoot. A name applied variously to the razor-bill, Alca torda (Sc. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 217; Ork. 1929 Marw.), and to the common guillemot, Uria aalge (Ork. a.1795 G. Low Fauna Orcad. (1813) 104; Ork., Fif. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 218, Ork. 1929 Marw.). Dim. forms skutie, skut(t)ock (Sc. 1880 Jam.; e.Lth. 1885 C. Swainson Brit. Birds 218), skiddaw (Abd. c.1890 Gregor MSS.). [skut]Sc. 1705 J. Spreull Accompt Current (1882) 62:
The Eggs of the last, to wit, the Scout is a rare Dish right drest, but especially in the Schells of the Scouts Eggs, you will find such colours, and variety of Vaines, or curious Draughts.m.Lth. 1745 in The Contrast (1825) 19:
These Geese, which they call scouts, and soland geese.Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 305:
The Guillemot, here [called] the skout.Sc. 1935 Rintoul & Baxter Fauna Forth 310:
It is unfortunate that the old names Marrot and Scout referred to both Razorbills and Guillemots.
