Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
†TRAITH, n. Also trath; treath (Fif. c.1700 W. Macfarlane Geog. Coll. (S.H.S.) III. 221). A herring-fishing ground, a part of the sea where herring shoals tend to congregate. [treθ]Sc. 1727 Plan for Improving Fisheries, etc. 15–16:
The Fishing Stations of Old-Hecks, Anstruther-Traith, Pittenweem-Traith, St Mennin's-Traith. . . . The Stations of Findhorn and Nairn-Traiths. . . . One in the Station of Air-Traith, and the other in the Station of Bute-Traith.Sc. 1733 P. Lindsay Interest Scot. 207:
When a Shole of Herrings takes the Ground in any Trath within that Firth.Fif. 1867 St Andrews Gazette (31 Aug.):
On Monday night, the most of the boats, both here and at St Monance, fished in the ‘Traith', but without success.
