Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CHEVIOT, prop.n. The name of the hill-land separating Scotland from England, specif. applied to a breed of sheep first raised there in the late 18th c., through the efforts of Sir John Sinclair of the Board of Agriculture, who appears to have given them the name c.1791. Gen.Sc. [′tʃiviət]Sc. 1792 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 461:
Several experienced shepherds have lately inspected the experimental stock of the Cheviot breed, sent by Sir John Sinclair to Langwell. Sc. 1807 Trans. Highl. Soc. III. 556:
Cheviot sheep are greatly preferable in green farms affording kindly shelter against the lambing season. Sc. 1827 Stirling Jnl. (Sept.):
Till 20 years ago black-faced sheep was the favourite, but now Cheviots have been introduced all over the Highlands and are prospering.
