Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1701, 1789-1842
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STIRLING, prop. n. The town of that name on the Forth, the site of a royal castle and garrison, and since 1967 of a University, formerly also noted for brewing and weaving. Combs. 1. Stirling jug, the actual vessel used as the standard pint measure of Scotland, still preserved in Stirling Museum; the measure it contained. See Joug, 2.; 2. Stirling pint, id. See Pint; 3. Stirling plaid, a plaid of tartan cloth woven at the village of Bannockburn near Stirling (see Scots Mag. (Oct. 1963) 34–42); 4. Stirling searge, a thick serge cloth manufactured in Stirling in the 18th c.; 5. Stirling sma, a light ale brewed in Stirling; 6. Stirling tartan, see quot. and cf. 3. [′stɪrlɪŋ , -lɪn]1. Sc. 1789 J. Swinton Weights, etc. 8:
In consequence of the commission granted by the act of 1617, the commissioners made the Stirling pint or jug the unit of liquid measure.Abd. 1811 G. S. Keith Agric. Abd. 552:
The real Stirling jugg, as found at the Union of the two kingdoms, weighed only 26,180 grains.3. Sc. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XII. 468:
Wearied of barred plaids, they betook themselves to Stirling ones.4. Sc. 1701 Edb. Gazette (6–10 Feb.):
46 Ells of white Stirling Searge stented. 40 Ells common Red Stirling Searge.5. wm.Sc. 1835 Laird of Logan 93:
Gin I had sent our Stirling sma' as quickly down Craig's closs as I hae done yours, it wad hae ta'en the bark wi't.6. Sc. 1842 Illustrated London News (3 Oct.) 340:
Stirling, in Scotland, has been long celebrated for its manufacture of this cloth [tartan], and a very fine web, especially of scarlet, which the Highlanders could not produce from their native dye-stuffs, was known as "Stirling Tartan."
