Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1824-1825
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GUILTREE, n.comb. A gallows.Ayr. 1824 A. Crawford Tales of my Grandmother I. 70:
Whether shall I gin thee in one of thy otter traps or hang thee on the guiltree?Sc. 1825 A. Crawford Tales of my Grandmother I. 72-3:
Do thou lead these villains to the guiltree. . . . In a short period the guiltree was ornamented with the unfortunate gipsies.
[A mistake for dule tree see Dool, n.1, 4. (3), poss. by confusion with Gule-tree.]
