Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1888-1948
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†GRULIK, n. Also grulack, greulik, grölik, grølek. A guiser, a member of a band of young men dressed in fancy costumes of plaited straw who went masquerading on certain days of the year, such as Halloween and Shrovetide (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., grulack, 1908 Jak. (1928), grølek, 1914 Angus Gl., grulik, 1932 J. M. E. Saxby Trad. Lore 77, grülik). [′grølək]Sh. 1888 Edmonston & Saxby Naturalist 330:
About nine o'clock a distant shot was heard. "Grulacks!" (Shetlandic for guisers or maskers) "Grulacks!" was the cry; and the dance in progress was instantly stopped in mid career.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 189:
The young lads banded themselves together in squads and went hoosamylla (from house to house), as maskers, commonly called gröliks.Sh. 1948 C. E. Mitchell Up-Helly-Aa 79:
The old-time Skudler, Grulik or Skekler crowned with his intricately plaited, tall straw head-dress, at first glance somewhat resembling a bishop's mitre, and attired in a straw cape and petticoat.
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"Grulik n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/grulik>
