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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V). Includes material from the 1976 and 2005 supplements.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HIELAND, n., adj. Also heeland, hilan(d); heelan(t), -lint, hie- (esp. s.Sc.), hill-; heelon, heilan, he(i)lin, hielin, hillan, highlan. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. highland. [Sc. ′hilən(d), em.Sc.(b), s.Sc. -lənt]

I. n. 1. As in Eng., high or elevated land, applied in Scot., specif. in pl. with the, to the mountainous district of Scotland lying north and west of a line drawn approximately from Dumbarton to Ballater and thence to Nairn (see map in P.L.D. and 1726 quot.) and enclosing the territory formerly occupied by the clans and speaking the Gaelic language; extended to mean the inhabitants of this region. Also used, though rarely, of the mountain country of Southern Scotland, stretching from Galloway to the Merse (Sc. 1816 Scott B. Dwarf i.).Sc. 1699 Acts Gen. Assembly 26:
That enquiry be made, what Ministers are settled in the Lowlands, who have the Irish Language, that they may be sent on Supply to Vacant and Highland places, and if they get orderly Calls, they be transported to the Highlands.Sc. 1726 Wade in Chalmers Caledonia (1824) III. 22:
The Highlands are the mountainous parts of Scotland, not defined, or described by any precise limits, or boundaries of counties, but are tracts of mountains, in extent of land more than one half of the Kingdom of Scotland, and are, for the most part, on the Western Ocean, extending from Dumbarton to the north end of the island of Great Britain, near two hundred miles in length, and from about forty to fourscore miles in breadth. All the islands on the west, and north-west Seas are called Highlands, as well from their mountainous situation, as from the habit, customs, manners, and language of their inhabitants.Sc. 1740 Bonny Earl of Murray in Child Ballads No. 181 A. 1:
Ye Highlands, and ye Lawlands, Oh, where have you been?Ayr. 1790 Burns My Heart's in the Highl. i.:
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer.Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xl.:
And hieland and lawland may mournfu' be For the sair field of Harlaw.Sc. 1829 Scott Guy M. i. note:
The mountainous country in the south-western borders of Scotland, is called Hieland, though totally different from the much more mountainous and more extensive districts of the north, usually accepted Hielands.Abd. 1874 N. Maclean North. Univ. 46:
As most of the students came from the country — generally from the Highlands and Western Islands of Scotland — they brought with them all their native roughness and coarseness of manners.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped xii.:
The best swordsman in the Hielands, David, and that is the same as to say, in all the world.Dmf. 1912 A. Anderson Later Poems 111:
The hills in the Hielands are braw.Arg. 1914 N. Munro New Road v.:
That's the Road the harrow is to go to level down the Hielands.Edb. 1916 J. Fergus Sodger 6:
Jist a spunkie Hielan' laddie an' as frisky as a foal, The Hielan' blood intill his heart, the Hielands in his soul.m.Sc. 1982 Douglas Fraser in Hamish Brown Poems of the Scottish Hills 8:
The spell the Hielands cast;
The lang spell, the strang spell, Abd. 1994 Stanley Robertson in James Robertson A Tongue in Yer Heid 16:
Awa hinnae back, up in the Heilans, there bade a bonnie lassie cawed Morag.

†2. pl. The language spoken in the Highlands, Gaelic. Cf. Lallans.Sc. 1746 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) II. 96:
I replyed, if he would risque staying himself (all this in Highlands) that I would for my part.Sc. 1751 W. MacFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 343:
The Name of the Lands in Highlands the Native Language of the Island is Tonrocder.

3. Used elliptically for: (1) the Highland Railway, a separate company till 1923, or a train running on that line; (2) the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society's annual show. See 7. (22). Also attrib.(1) Per. 1896 I. Maclaren Kate Carnegie 7:
It's no' made up yet, and little chance o't till the express an' the Hielant be aff.Sc. 1956 Scotsman (5 April) 6:
Truly the Highland was sometimes “Hielan'”. But British Transport might well recapture some of its romance and its humanity.(2) e.Lth. 1892 J. Lumsden Sheep-Head 17:
He'll blaw his beasts up to the skies — Swear ilk ane's ta'en ta Hielan' prize.Sc. 1953 Scotsman (24 June):
The Highland is not only a great testing ground for breeding theories, but also an educational force and a great social event for Scottish agriculture.

II. adj. Of, belonging to or characteristic of the Highlands of Scotland or their people:

1. in gen.Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems 51:
Resume his strength, grow stomach-tight, By dint o' Hilan' whiskie Or ale, that night.Edb. 1819 Edb. Ev. Courant (8 July) 1:
The Annual Competition for Prizes, to be given by the Highland Society of London to the Five Best Performers on the Great Highland Bag-pipe.Slk. 1835 Hogg Wars Montrose I. 266:
Twa o' our heeland offisher's, — they dinna ken a word we're speakin.Per. a.1837 R. Nicoll Poems (1855) 124:
He can speak in monie tongues, Gude braid Scots and hieland Erse.Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 3:
For dey wur no' a Heeland chief bit what t'oucht himsel' better or ony lord i' the land, a'to' he hed no' a sark tae his back.Sc. 1886 Stevenson Kidnapped iii.:
I wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled before a wheen Hieland Campbells.Fif. 1894 J. W. M'Laren Tibbie and Tam 126:
As to whether the sergeant really believed the hielant rascal's lees I never richtly heard.Abd. 1903 W. Watson Auld Lang Syne 73:
The former, he thought had little chance on account of his being “as Hielan's a peat” and likin' sneeshin'.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick iii.:
A dour sanshich runt o' a chiel, a plyooman an' a Catholic fae the Hielin eyn o' Aiberdeenshire.Abd. 1987 Sheena Blackhall in Joy Hendry Chapman 49 56:
Be't earthly or divine, luve's freely gien
As weel withhaud yon boundin Heilan burn
Or ban the gowd, that croons the simmer breem
Play gyte Canute, an stem the ocean's turn. Sc. 1991 Forbes Macgregor in Tom Hubbard The New Makars 17:
Oot-through the stable lantron's reek
He sees the unhained Hieland glen
He brookt or he was glaikt by men. Sc. 1998 Herald (4 Feb.) 17:
... the Scottish nobility were plundering the land. Grabbing land that normally belonged to the people. Burning homes. Scattering Hielan' folk ... Gsw. 2000 Herald (28 May) 5:
Crunch time for granny's Hielan' hotel

2. Of clothes, referring to the Highland tartan dress, the kilt or trews, and plaid, and all or any of their accompaniments, e.g. bonnet, belt, dirk, sporran and hose.Sc. 1700 Edb. Gazette (14–18 March):
A Caice of Tortoyce Schell Knives, and two fine Highland Belts.Sc. 1714 Atholl MSS. (11 June):
Earl Cromartie goes up our Streets [Edinburgh] Monday nixt on the head of our Company of Archers with his Bow and arrows in perfeit good order, all being in the Highland habitt, and a blue bonnett.Sc. 1733 Caled. Mercury (25 June):
The said Angus Ross is a laigh broad Fellow, with a short Highland or Tartan Coat, Breeches and Hose, without a Plaid.Sc. 1746 Acts 19 Geo. II. c. 39. § 17:
No Man or Boy within that part of Great Britain called Scotland . . . shall on any Pretence whatsoever wear or put on the Clothes commonly called the Highland Clothes, the Plaid, Philebeg or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder Belts.Abd. 1760 Abd. Journal (22 Jan.):
His Grace [the Duke of Gordon] appears every Day in the Highland Dress, which becomes him extremely well.Arg. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XI. 280:
The Highland dress has not made such rapid progress among us, as with our neighbours to the North.Sc. 1818 Scott H. Midlothian li.:
You know the act of parliament against wearing the Highland dress.Sc. 1866 Inverness Directory Advert.:
The famous Highland Cloaks of which they are the inventors and only supply in the correct style.Arg. 1914 N. Munro New Road xv.:
He wore the Highland dress, with trews so tightly cut they showed his legs were bowly.Sc. 1955:
A “Highland cloak” is a body-fitting long overcoat without sleeves, in place of which there is a half cape, known as “wings” covering the front half of the body.

3. Of the language of the Highlands: Gaelic; in the Gaelic tongue; Gaelic-speaking (Cai., ne.Sc., Fif., Edb., Dmf. 1957).Sc. 1699 Acts Gen. Assembly 16:
Enjoined to have Bursers, who have the Highland language.m.Lth. 1812 P. Forbes Poems 50:
Ochon, O ri'! Oh, now we're done, Now we'll lament in Highland crone.Ayr. 1821 Galt Ayr. Legatees vi.:
Mr John Gant, your friend, and some other flea-lugged fallows, have set up a Heelon congregation, and got a young man to preach Erse to the English.Edb. 1856 J. Ballantine Poems 86:
Aye gaun to the auld Hielan' kirk ilka week.Sc. 1955 Scotsman (10 Dec.) 5:
The Highland Church is the only one within the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh to hold regular Gaelic services.

4. Of sports, dancing, etc., orig. native to the Highlands, e.g. Hieland ball, -dancing, -fling, -gaitherin, -games (see also articles under the second word).Abd. p.1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shep. MS. 136:
But, Nefo, so I you with pleasure call — We ere you go, must have a highland ball.Sc. 1814 Chrons. Atholl & Tullibardine Families (1908) IV. 256:
He was very anxious to see the Highland Fling.wm.Sc. 1868 Laird of Logan 559:
The worst thing for me was the kicking and flinging at Highlan reels.Abd. 1872 J. G. Michie Deeside Tales 204:
At a meeting of the Caledonian Hunt in Edinburgh, it was resolved to give a number of prizes for the encouragement of Highland games and accomplishments, among others one for dancing.Sc. 1880 Invernessian (30 Oct.):
A Selection of Highland Schottisches.Sc. 1954 Scotsman (25 Feb.):
Highland games are, of course, a traditional feature of Scottish life. They have kept alive the arts of piping and Highland dancing and the Highland forms of athletics.Dundee 1991 Ellie McDonald The Gangan Fuit 21:
A bonnie exhibition for a King
tae mak, loupan owre the cassies
daein the Hieland Fling
like a muckle gowk.

Comb. Hielan dancer, rhyming slang for 'chancer'.Edb. 1989:
You're a right wee hielan dancer.

5. Of mental or moral qualities or traits of character supposed to be typical of the Highlanders, often pejorative owing to the suspicion and dislike of Highlanders once prevalent in Lowland Scotland: (1) bold, courageous; (2) warmly hospitable (‡Abd., Per., Arg., Ayr. 1957), courteous; (3) having an exaggerated sense of birth and lineage, esp. in phr. Hieland pride. Gen.Sc.; (4) naive, gullible, unrealistic, impractical, raw, “green,” esp. in neg. phr. no sae hieland (tae be sae far south (Abd.³⁰ 1957)). Gen.Sc.; (5) uncouth, unskilled, inelegant, rough and ready, freq. with a neg. in phr. no sae hieland, also adv. = not too badly. Gen.Sc.; (6) not quite truthful or honest, shifty, evasive (ne.Sc. 1957).(1) Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary ix.:
Rab Tull keepit a Highland heart, and bang'd out o' bed . . . and he did follow the thing up stairs and down stairs.(2) Ayr. 1792 Burns Highl. Welcome 3–4:
In Heaven itself I'll ask no more Than just a Highland welcome.Fif. 1832 Fife Herald (12 July):
There was very little drawing-room etiquette or ceremonious bowings in and out: but there was every where a Highland welcome.(3) Ayr. 1787 Burns At Inverary ii.:
There's naething here but Highland pride And Highland scab and hunger.Abd. 1863 G. Macdonald D. Elginbrod i. xv.:
To prevent him, despite his Highland pride, from seeing any great hardship in labouring still.(4) Per. 1897 R. M. Fergusson Village Poet 172:
They'll not jew us — we're no' sae hieland.wm.Sc. 1906 H. Foulis Vital Spark xv.:
If I wass buyin' a coo it wouldna be wan you could hang your hat on in fifty places. No, no, Peter, I'm Hielan', but I'm no' so Hielan' ass aal that.Ib. xix.:
She's from Gleska; they're awfu' Hielan' in Gleska aboot fush and things like that.Sc. 1933 N. B. Morrison Gowk Storm viii.:
“He was one of the most brilliant scholars of his year at Glasgow College . . .” “I wonder what he's doing buried up here then, . . . that's Highland, of course.”(5) Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 142:
It's nae that hilan' like a supper Upon the whole.Ags. 1887 A. D. Willock Rosetty Ends 71:
The excavators made no' sic a hielint success in their labours.Bch. 1913 W. Fraser Jeremiah Jobb 31:
How do you do, Mr Brown? . . . Nae sae Hielan'!Gsw. 1953:
A Hielan dicht is a hasty or superficial wash.Abd.²⁹ 1955:
That green jumper looks gey Hielan wi' that blue skirt an' reid scarf.(6) Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxvi.:
Ay, he has a kind o' Hieland honesty — he's honest after a sort, as they say.

6. Of breeds of animals native to the Highlands, e.g. cattle characterised by thick, shaggy and gen. brown hair and long curving horns; or sheep, of the black faced variety; or horses (see combs. (11), (16) and (21) below); or terrier dogs.Edb. 1730 Caled. Mercury (27 July):
A little Gray Highland Mare, marked on each Flank like a three-grain'd Fork.Per. 1762 Caled. Mercury (17 May):
The stots are of an excellent Highland kind, out-lyers from one to five years.Arg. 1794 J. Robson Agric. Arg. 12:
In Lochaber, Sunart, and Morven, the cattle are all of the Highland breed.Edb. 1819 Edb. Ev. Courant (31 July) 1:
Lost, A Highland Terrier, that answers to the name of Brogach, is of rather a low size, but very stout, and shaggy in the pile; looks particularly fierce about the head and face, black in the gum, and altogether of rather an uncommon appearance.Slk. 1829 Hogg Shep. Cal. (1874) ii.:
A black Highland cow came roaring up the glen, wi' her stake hanging at her neck.Dmb. 1845 Stat. Acc.² VIII. 216:
The moorland part of the parish grazes only about 500 sheep, which are of the black-faced or Highland breed.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin v.:
An ill-deedie, red-wud limmer o' a Heelan' coo.n.Sc. 1887 N. Macleod Old Lieutenant i.:
The dog was a Highland terrier called Skye, with the usual characteristics of that famous and esteemed breed as to quantity of hair.Kcb. 1894 Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet iv.:
Boreland's big Heelant bull had heard the routin' o' his friend Carlaverock Jock.Abd. 1915 H. Beaton Benachie 124:
It was customary in Rayne for a few farmers to join in the purchase of a “Hielan' stirkie.” The “mairtie,” as it was called, when killed, was divided amongst them.Sc. 1937 J. Macdonald Highl. Ponies 177:
In recent years the native Highland cattle in Wester Ross-shire have been replaced by the polled black Angus breed.Sc. 1955 Farmer's Yearbook 54:
The highlight of the past year in Highland cattle circles has undoubtedly been the decision of Her Majesty The Queen to establish a fold at Balmoral.

7. Combs.: (1) a Hielan' moon, a long time, 'a month of Sundays'; †(2) Highland anger, a violent and short-lived burst of temper. Cf. (15) and (27); †(3) Highland bail, right of might, in phr. to give Highland bail for, to liberate by force; (4) Highland bitters, a very old beverage made from “gentian root, coriander seed, bitter-orange peel, camomile flower, cinnamon stick, whole cloves, whisky” (Sc. 1929 F. M. McNeill Sc. Kitchen 233); (5) Highland blue, whisky. Cf. Blue, n., II. 3., id.; (6) Highland Cordial, a drink made from white currants, lemon, ginger, sugar and whisky (Sc. 1929 F. M. McNeill Sc. Kitchen 233); (7) highland couple, a roofing rafter which extends to the ground instead of terminating at the top of the wall, a cruck; (8) Hielan' Donald, a sobriquet for a Highlander (Cai., Abd. 1957). Applied also to a highland pony; (9) Highland gill, a jocular name for a double Scots gill (of spirits), about 1½ imperial gills; (10) Highland honours, the ceremonial drinking of a toast after the Highland fashion. See 1881 quot.; (11) highland horse, = (16) and (21); (12) Highland Light Infantry, one of the regiments in the British Army, so called from 1809 and mainly recruited in Glasgow and its neighbourhood, gen. referred to by the initials H.L.I., the 9th Battalion being known as the Glasgow Highlanders, merged in 1957 with the Royal Scots Fusiliers under the name the Royal Highland Fusiliers; (13) Highland Line, a name given to the imaginary boundary between the Highlands and Lowlands of Scotland. See n., 1. above; †(14) highland miln, see quot.; (15) Hielan passion, = (2) and (27); (16) Highland pony, one of a breed of ponies originating in the Highlands, = (11) and (21); (17) hielan(d) pyot, -at, — piet, the missel thrush, Turdus viscivorus (Mry. 1895 Harvie-Brown and Buckley Fauna Mry. I. 214; ne.Sc. 1903 G. Sim Fauna of “Dee” 76, ne.Sc. 1957). Also the fieldfare; (18) Highland regiment, the 51st (Highland) Division as regards territorial units. Highland regiments are also found in many other divisions of the Regular Army; (19) highland saddle, a crook-saddle (see Cruik, n., I. 8. (5)), a Clibber; (20) hieland serk, fig. a state of nakedness (Fif. c.1850 R. Peattie MS.); (21) hielan sheltie, = (11) and (16) (Cai., Bnff., Ags., Arg. 1957); (22) Highland Show, a large agricultural show held annually in different centres by the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society. See (23) below; (23) Highland Society, see 1787 quot. Now the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, incorporated under Royal Charter. See also (22) above; (24) hielan thaw, a rapid but incomplete thaw followed by a renewed snowstorm (Cai.⁷ 1957); (25) Hielan walloch, see Walloch; †(26) Highland Watch, a party of guards or soldiers recruited from the Highlands; specif. the Black Watch; (27) Highland wrath, a violent outburst of passion. Cf. (2) and (15).(1) Kcb. 1896 A. J. Armstrong Kirkiebrae 158:
I couldna say ony mair if I was to blether for a Hielan' moon.(2) Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 149:
And what came of him? speak nae langer, Crys Halbert in a Highland Anger.(3) Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxix.:
The mute eloquence of the miller and smith, which was vested in their clenched fists, was prepared to give highland bail for their arbiter.(5) Edb. 1792 New Year's Morning 12:
Some Highland blue is unco gued.(7) Cai. 1812 J. Henderson Agric. Cai. 200:
A circular booth was erected, of stone and turf, as it could be had, in which a semi-circular, or highland couple of birch, or other hard wood, was set; and, in short, a roof closed in on it.Cai. 1884 Crofters' Comm. Evid. IV. 2878:
In early times these [crofters'] houses were built with dry stone and turf, the roofs resting on Highland couples, and thatched with divot or turf first, and over this heather or broom; these were called black houses.(8) Ayr. 1786 Burns Inventory 22–23:
The fourth's a Highland Donald hastie, A damn'd red-wud Kilburnie blastie!Edb. 1822 R. Wilson Poems 42:
Here Highland Donald, wi' his stots An' pownies, fills the park.Ayr. 1902 E.D.D.:
Highland Donald. A class of horses reared by the crofters in the Highlands and brought down to the Lowlands, where they were sold in large numbers. They were well known in Ayrshire fifty years or so ago. On the breaking up of the Highland crofts they ceased to be known here. They were small, stout, sturdy animals, but very excitable and quick-tempered.(9) Ayr. 1786 Burns Author's Earnest Cry xxix.:
But bring a Scotsman frae his hill, Clap in his cheek a Highland gill.Rnf. 1806 R. Tannahill Poems (1876) 115:
I'll treat you wi a Hieland gill, Tho it shou'd be my hindmaist fill.(10) Sc. 1821 Edb. Star (2 Feb.):
There is something so hearty and rapturous in the Highland honours which follow the toasts.Inv. 1839 Edb. Ev. Courant (7 Oct.):
The toast was drunk accordingly, all the company standing with one foot on their chairs and the other on the table. This is what is called Highland honours.Sc. 1881 C. N. M. North Bk. Club of True Highlanders App.:
The standard toasts shall be given with Highland honours, according to the usual custom of the Club, i.e., the whole of the company rise with the Chief, the Warder secures the door and stands at attention with target on left arm and axe in right hand; the Piper also stands at attention. The toast is given, and the Chief and company then stand on their chairs, and place their right feet on the table, and while standing in that position (The Chief leading) pronounce the words Suas e three times, to be followed by three hurrahs; then the words Sios e three times, followed by three hurrahs as before; and lastly the word Nis three times followed by three hurrahs; at the final hurrah the Piper will strike up and play a few bars of a stirring melody, the Chief and company in the meantime returning to their seats.Sc. 1928 Scots Mag. (April) 51:
Consider his article as a sort of impromptu after-dinner oration culminating in the emotional glass-tinkle of “Highland honours.”(11) Arg. 1794 J. Robson Agric. Arg. 15:
The horses kept in North Argyll and Lochaber, are chiefly of the highland breed . . . highland horses, since sheep were introduced, have been much banished; and therefore, both from that circumstance, and their hardiness, they sell higher, their size considered, than any other.n.Sc. 1840 D. Sage Mem. Domest. (1889) 116:
His team, three Highland horses and a cow.(12) Sc. 1909 C. W. Thomson Scotland's Work and Worth II. 609:
The old 71st, or Glasgow Highlanders, now constitute the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry. They are the second oldest Highland regiment.Gsw. 1915 J. J. Bell Wee Macgreegor Enlists i.:
“The 9th H.L.I.,” said Macgregor, and, as if to improve matters if possible, added, “Glesca Hielanders.”Sc. 1934 Sc. Woollens (1956) 38:
The Highland Light Infantry wear the Mackenzie Tartan, but in a larger set than the version worn by the Seaforths.Sc. 1952 L. B. Oatts Proud Heritage 3:
The year of birth of The Highland Light Infantry, 1777.Sc. 1957 Scotsman (5 Dec.) 7:
R.S.F. and H.L.I. not allowed to adopt kilt for merger.(13) Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxiii.:
Ye maunna expect me to gang ower the Highland line — I'll gae beyond the line at no rate. Ye maun meet me about Bucklivie or the Clachan of Aberfoil.Sc. 1834 G. R. Gleig Allan Breck I. xvi.:
Even when embodied as a regiment, — a change in their condition which occurred in 1739 — the Black Watch . . . continued still to exercise their functions within the Highland line.Sc. 1952 Scots Mag. (Sept.) 424:
The men who came from beyond the Highland line were above the English average and over an inch taller than the men from Glasgow, Paisley and Motherwell.(14) Sth. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ X. 302:
There is one good miln on the coast side . . . as also three of the kind called Highland milns, whose wheels revolve in a horizontal direction.(15) Lth. 1894 P. H. Hunter J. Inwick 191:
Ye could see he was in a Hielant passion, crinchin his teeth an' mutterin to himsel.(16) Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xxxv.:
The Bailie, thus refreshed, was mounted on a small Highland pony.Sc. 1823 J. G. Lockhart Reg. Dalton I. 193:
Up comes a decent, little auld manny . . . riding on a bit broken-kneed hirplin beast of a Heeland powney.n.Sc. 1840 D. Sage Mem. Domest. (1889) 241:
I was provided with a good, stout, Highland pony by Alastair Gordon of Dalcharn.Sc. 1937 J. Macdonald Highl. Ponies 39:
For several years the Department of Agriculture for Scotland has been supplying Highland pony stallions for the use of the crofters.Sc. 1944 Lady Wentworth British Horses and Ponies 40:
Highland Ponies. These are very pretty ponies round about 12 to 13 hands. There is a larger size called Garron which ranges about 14.2 but it is not looked on with favour by the Highland Society as it has been crossed with cart horse.(17) Bnff. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XIII. 9:
The fieldfare (Turdus pitaris, here called the Highland pyot).Abd. 1951 Huntly Express (12 Jan.):
Having occasion to go often between a long row of double hawthorn hedge during the last six weeks, I witnessed large flocks of starlings, blackbirds and maybe Heilin' piets feeding on this succulent berry.(18) Inv. 1749 Caled. Mercury (27 March):
Cole Macdonald of Barisdale was apprehended at his House of Knoidart, by a Party of the Highland Regiment from Glenelg.Sc. 1752 Lyon in Mourning (S.H.S.) III. 117:
A Strathspey man who had formerly served in the Highland regiment (commonly called the Black Watch).Sc. 1822 D. Stewart Sk. Highlanders I. 236:
A Highland regiment, to be orderly and well-disciplined, ought to be commanded by men who are capable of appreciating their character.n.Sc. 1840 D. Sage Mem. Domest. (1889) 131:
A young man but recently returned from the army where he had acted for some years as chaplain to a Highland regiment.Sc. 1909 C. W. Thomson Scotland's Work and Worth II. 606:
The Highland regiments were embodied later, principally after the second Jacobite Rising.Sc. 1952 L. B. Oatts Proud Heritage 247:
The Lord Provost protested to the War Office that the citizens wanted a “Highland” regiment! In other words, “Highland” and “kilted” had come to mean the same thing.(19) Inv. 1886 Trans. Inv. Scientific Soc. III. 180:
"The whisky merchants" used to arrive with a train of horses and a kind of saddle, called a "Highland Saddle", made of wood and like in form, to each side of which were attached hooks from which the casks were suspended.(21) Abd. 1758 Abd. Journal (28 Nov.):
A Highland Shealtie, three years old last grass, of a low thick size, reddish brown colour, the mane a little lighter.Sc. 1763 Boswell London Jnl. (1950) 309:
Now my Lord Bute, instead of getting upon one of his own Highland shelties . . . must mount the great state-horse all at once.Sc. 1825 Aberdeen Censor 279:
I was mounted on the back of a little Highland shelty.Per. 1894 I. Maclaren Bonnie Brier Bush 150:
As hardy as a hielan' sheltie.(22) Sc. 1955 Scotsman (22 June) 8:
The garden at the back of Queensberry House, Edinburgh, extending to about one acre, which was the site of the first Highland Show in 1822.Sc. 1958 Scotsman (7 April) 3:
Scotland's national farm show — the Royal Highland — has, after wandering about the country since 1826, found a permanent home, within a few miles of the city where the first show was held — Edinburgh.(23) Sc. 1787 Trans. Highl. Soc. (1904) 469:
In the year 1784, the Petitioners and other Persons formed themselves into a Society, by the name or title of the Highland Society at Edinburgh, their object being to inquire into the present state of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, and of the inhabitants, and into the means of the improvement of that part of the country.Ags. 1875 Brechin Advertiser (20 April) 4:
I'll see the Heelant Society gang to crockinition first.Sc. 1882 D. Stewart Sk. Highlanders I. 229:
The Highland Society of Scotland taking the lead in promoting the agricultural, and indeed the general improvement of the country, that of London confines itself chiefly to the language, music, poetry and garb of the Highlands.Abd. 1893 Mod. Sc. Poets (Edwards) XV. 88:
Her father was an eminent agriculturalist, and in 1838 received the Highland Society's medal for the improvement of a large tract of waste hill land.(26) Sc. 1775 Dmf. Weekly Mag. (29 Aug.) 383:
Mr William Lindsay, officer of his majesty's customs, with a party of the Highland Watch, siezed upwards of eight hundred pounds of leaf tobacco.Sc. 1801 Edb. Weekly Jnl. (14 Jan.) 15:
He enlisted into the 42d, or Old Highland Watch, and was present at the battle of Fontenoy.(27) Ayr. 1790 Burns Battle of Sherramuir iii.:
Wi' Highland wrath they frae the sheath Drew blades o' death.