Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BOUR, Boor, n. Sc. forms of St.Eng. bower. The form bower is also found in Sc. [bu:r]
1. A dwelling; a lodging-place, an inn.Sc. 1703 Acc. Bk. Sir J. Foulis (S.H.S. 1894):
Oct. 7: for a nights lodging at the bour, as I went to stow, man and horses and brandie . . . 2.19.0.Sh. 1912 A. W. Johnston in Old-Lore Misc., Ork., Sh., etc. V. iv. 178:
Brave gentles all, within this boor, If ye delight in any sport, Come see me dance upon this floor.
2. “An arch of green boughs held over the bride and bridegroom in bygone days when proceeding to the kirk for the marriage ceremony” (Fif. c.1850 per Fif.10).
3. The elder tree, short for Bourtree (Cai. 1975). Cai. 1902 J. Horne Canny Countryside 9:
There is no tree-life to lend a suggestion of seclusion, save a stab or two of bour in the gardens.
