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.
TURRA, n. Also Turray (ne.Sc. 1881 W. Gregor Folk-Lore 114). Local forms of the place-name Turriff, in Aberdeenshire [′tʌrɑ], in combs. and phr.: †1. to ride to Turra, to be in a merry or elated state; 2. Turra coo, a cow belonging to a farmer near Turriff which was distrained for debt by the authorities in Dec. 1913 because of the refusal of her owner to pay National Health insurance contributions on behalf of his employees under the Act of 1911. The affair created much local excitement and after various adventures the cow was bought back by sympathisers and led in triumph home to her farm (ne.Sc. 1914–73); 3. Turra neep, -tattie, a nickname for a native or inhabitant of Turriff (Bnff., Abd. 1973).1. Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 13:
Turreff, a village in Banffshire [sic] famous for merriment; hence he is said to be riding to Turra, who is merry.2. ne.Sc. 1971 Scots Mag. (Dec.) 223–9:
Most people in Scotland over the age of fifty have heard of the Turra Coo . . . Potters made Turra Coo jugs, artists made Turra Coo plaques.3. Abd. 1960 Abd. Press & Jnl. (16 Dec.):
A person who comes from Turriff is either a “Turra tattie” or a “Turra neep.”
