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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLAVIE, CLEVIE, n. [′kle:vi]

†1. A torch carried round the boats in Morayshire fishing villages on New Year's Eve with the object of “blessing the boats” and ensuring a successful season. This is regarded as a survival of the old Druidical fire worship.Mry. 1705 Session Records of Kinneddar (23 Dec.) in Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. (1875) X. 656:
Did guard y^e Seamen to beware of y^e old Heathenish superstitious practice of carrieing lighted Clevies or torches about y^r boats on new years even.Mry. 1929 J. M. McPherson Prim. Beliefs N.-E. Scot. 22:
As late as 1875 the Clavie was duly carried to one vessel just ready for sea. . . . Only when faith in its virtue had died out — this vessel appears to have been sunk — did the Clavie cease to be carried round the boats.

2. A tar-barrel, filled with fir wood and combustibles and supported by a wooden pole and stays, which is burnt in the village of Burghead, Moray, on Hogmanay (Old Style) and is “intended to provide the town with good fortune and good health for the coming year. . . . Strong, sure-footed men are chosen as bearers, for if they stumble or fall, bad luck to the town will follow” (Mry. 1939 F. Drake-Carnell It's an old Sc. Custom 34). Gen. found in phr. the burning of the clavie.Mry. 1861 J. Macdonald in Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. (1863) IV. 360:
Of late, the burning of the clavie has degenerated into a mere pastime, and will probably soon be numbered among the things that were.Mry. 1932 Scotsman (12 Jan.):
The annual sacrifice to the god of fire known as the burning of the clavie, which is . . . the last fire festival in this country, was carried out last night at Burghead. . . . The clavie . . . was carried at a trot through the streets to the Doorie Hill, where it was placed in its stone cradle. . . . As the flames died down the crowd swarmed up the hill and scrambled for the charred faggots, many of which will be sent throughout the world as emblems of luck to natives of the town abroad.Mry. 1936 Times (13 Jan.) 9/5:
The Clavie was as usual . . . carried at a trot through the principal streets of the town and “lucky” blazing faggots were flung into the houses of Provost Chisholm, ex-Provost Gordon, and other prominent residents.