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.
TARMAGAN, n. Also tarmagen, -migan; termagan (Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XII. 322); tarmagant (Kcb. Ib. IV. 263); ptarmachan (Ags. Ib. VIII. 423), tarmachan, -in; ¶tarmack (Ags. Ib. X. 570); tormican. The mountain-grouse, the ptarmigan, Lagopus mutus. Gen.Sc. See etym. note. [′tɑrməgən]Nai. 1722 Thanes of Cawdor (S.C.) 426:
Moorfowl and tarmachans from Badenoch and Strathspey.Sc. c.1730 E. Burt Letters (1815) II. 155:
The tormican is near about the size of the moor-fowl (or grouse), but of a lighter colour, which turns almost white in winter.Per. 1795 Stat. Acc.1 XVII. 372:
Tarmagans, dotterels, and plovers, are on the tops of the mountains.Sc. a.1800 Sc. Songs (Whitelaw 1843) 210:
I'll hunt the roe, the hart, the doe, The tarmigan sae shy, lassie.
