Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 2005 (SND, online supplement).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1992-2001
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NOLLIE, n. Informal word for a canal, esp. the Forth and Clyde Canal. Also attrib. Gsw. 1992 Herald 29 May 14:
The striking architectural form of the bridge is intended to make road users aware that they are crossing the canal — and the Nolly Brig went into service in May 1990, on completion of the Raynesway contract which involved considerable temporary works to divert and maintain the flow of canal water.Gsw. 1993 Herald 30 Oct 9:
Kids on the way home from the fairground clutching plastic bags tenanted by dozy-eyed gold fish ... ma would be less than chuffed at having the wee goldies to look after. Without ceremony, therefore, they were disposed of, dumped into the most convenient piece of wet stuff, which just happened to be the Forth and Clyde canal — the famous Nolly.Gsw. 2000 Scotsman 15 Sep 13:
The Nolly Barge Project is a 55ft steel barge created by Youth Action Possilpark.Gsw. 2001 Scotsman 19 May 16:
Back at Applecross Basin volunteer mate Bill Currie is tying up the Nolly Barge, which has just nosed in to decant a cheerful contingent of middled-aged ladies. Run for ten years by a charitable trust, the Nolly takes youth and community groups as far as Falkirk, but clearly the canal opening will offer further scope. And that word Nolly? Bill unravels a convoluted west of Scotland etymology, from "canal" through "canaul", "canaulie", "nollie" ... Whatever you want to call it, though, clearly "canal" is set to become a buzz word for the millennium.
