Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CARSE, Cars, Kerse, n. “Low and fertile land; generally, that which is adjacent to a river” (Sc. 1808 Jam.). “The name appears to have originally referred to their [flat lands'] wet fenny character, but is now associated with their rich fertility” (N.E.D.). Also attrib. Gen.Sc. [kɑrs, kɛrs]Sc. 1830 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) III. 32:
In the Kerse o' Gowrie the sile's fifty yards deep.Per. 1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 486:
The moss lies upon a field of clay, which is a continuation of those rich, extensive flats in the neighbourhood of Falkirk and Stirling, distinguished by the name of carses.Fif. 1710 R. Sibbald Hist. Fife and Kinross 64:
The Lord Rankeilor . . . made good Arable . . . ground of the Moss there, which I know has been done . . . also in the Cars of Stirling Shire.w.Lth. 1794 J. Trotter Gen. View Agric. w.Lth. 6:
In the county are some of the best loams, and richest carse clay.Rnf. 1920 Memoirs Geol. Survey Scot. 39:
In the flat carse lands north of Paisley.Dmf. 1812 W. Singer Gen. View Agric. Dmf. 121:
The four field course, or the carse rotation of six fields, may be so conducted as to constitute management far superior to that of most farms.
