Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†BRECHAN, Brachan, Bracken, Breacan, n. Also brechkan (Inv. 1849 J. Paterson Royal Visit 78), a phonetic representation of the Gael. pronunciation [′brɛkɑn]. A Highland plaid. [brɛxən, brɑxən, brɑkən; Gael. ′brɛkɑn]Sc. 1771 T. Pennant Tour in Scot. 1769 162–163:
Their brechan, or plaid, consists of twelve or thirteen yards of a narrow stuff, wrapt round the middle, and reaches to the knees: is often fastened round the middle with a belt, and is then called brechan-feal.Sc. 1827 Scott Highland Widow iv.:
I may wear the breacan at the gate of Fort-Augustus, if I like it.Sc. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxvi.:
I am as familiar with brogues and bracken as if I had worn them myself.Sc. 1904 Sir James the Rose in Ballads (ed. Child) No. 213 vii.:
He's turnd him right and round about And rowd him in his brechan.Nai. 1828 W. Gordon Poems 243:
His brachan frae Culloden moor, I gat it tattered sairly.