Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

RAMMEL, n.¹, adj. Also ramel; ram(m)le; ramble; and deriv. form ramlack (Gregor). Obs. exc. arch.

I. n. 1. A small or crooked branch of a tree or the timber from such, a rough piece of wood (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 139); a stunted scraggy tree, a strong, crooked stick (Ib.). Gen. as coll. pl. Also fig. in liter. use.Sh. 1744 A. C. O'Dell Hist. Geog. Sh. (1939) 306:
As much bark as possible you can get Barr[el] hoops and ramble what the ship can hold and more or less of the trees and dealls as you can have them so as the Ship is full.Sc. 1746 Caled. Mercury (2 Sept.):
The Fortuna of Stavanger from Flecefeur, Tollison, with Dales and Ramble.Dmb. 1753 Session Papers, Buchanan v. Towart (5 Dec.) 1:
The Master should from Time to Time furnish great Timber for the Houses, and Stabb and Ramble for upholding the Dykes.Sc. 1926 H. M'Diarmid Drunk Man 54:
The michty trunk o' Space that spreids Ramel o' licht that ha'e nae end.

2. A big-boned scraggy animal.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 139:
He bocht for cheapness, twa aul' ramles o' yowes, an' they baith deet i' the lamman.

3. A coarse variety of Kail.Bnff. 1889 Trans. Bnff. Field Club (April) 56:
About 200 rambles, or rough kail, a much tougher and stronger growing kail than the modern “curly” — their blades were like leather aprons.

II. adj. Of straw: coarse and rank (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.).