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.
¶SHELTY, n. Nonce variant of Shinty, q.v.Inv. 1842 C. Bond Reminisc. Clachnacuddin Nonagenarian (1886) 5:
The minister, with the congregation, on coming from worship, were grieved at so unusual and unseemly a sight, and finding that the Shelty players alleged their inability or unwillingness to pay toll, as the cause of their absenting themselves from kirk, the town authorities were applied to, who very considerately ordered the toll ever after to be discontinued on the Sabbath.
