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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Rak(e, Raik(e, n.¹ Also: reik(e, raick; reck(e; rack. [OE rǽcan to stretch, extend, (ON rák streak, stripe, Norw. dial. raak a channel, etc.). Cf. e.m.E. re(a)che (16th c.).] In Aberdeen: A reach or stretch of water (chiefly or only on the rivers Dee or Don) devoted to salmon fishing.(a) 1358 Exch. R. I 546.
De piscaria del Rak super aquam de Dee 1562 Reg. Privy S. V i 308/1.
All and haill the salmond fishing upoun the Watter of Die callit the od half net in the rak(b) 1477 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 114.
Le Raik 1491 Acta Aud. 158/1. 1500–1 Acta Conc. II 476.
Ane pretendit assedacione … of the half net of the fisching of the watter of the raike 1531 Reg. Privy S. II 136/2.
The fischeing of the scalis upon the watter of Dee and of the Raik of Done 1549 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I 447.
The teynd salmond of the fisching of the raike 1592 Reg. Great S. 743/2.
Lie Raik de Abirdene 1597 Retours II Inq. Spec. Aberdeen (570).
De lie Raik et Stellis infra libertatem burgi de Aberdene, super aquam de Dee 1638 Aberd. B. Rec. III 122.
The salmond fishings of the Raick, Midchyngill [etc.], … for ilk halffnett of fourteine halffnettis of the Raick, tuentie thrie schillingis four penneis [etc.] 1677 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 118.
Ane salmond fishing upon the water of Die called the raik and stells which is at the mouth of the said harbor(c) 1683 Retours I Inq. Spec. Aberdeen (459).
In piscaria unius retis salmonum piscium de lie rack et stellis

b. Once, of such a reach on the river Forth. — 1624 Stirling B. Rec. I 159.
Casting of … grit stanes in that rak of the watter of Forthe nixt under the cruves of Craigorthe … to the grit hurt … of the tounes fishing

c. In more general use: A stretch of water; a channel or bay. 1617 Reg. Great S. 603/2.
Lie reikes, herberies and landing-places 1667 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I 118.
Within … Galloway … Kirkcubrie … Carrick and … Kyll … villages reckes harboures and sea coasts therof