Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1716-1852, 1931
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HOLLIN, n. Also hollen, hollan, holland (Sc. a.1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs (1776) II. 4), hollon, †holyn(e). The holly, Ilex aquifolium (Sc. 1710 T. Ruddiman Gl. to Douglas Aeneis, holyne; s.Sc. 1777 J. Lightfoot Flora Scotica II. 1131; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Mry.1 1925, hollan, Bnff. 1957), a holly bush. Also used attrib. and in place-names. Now obs. in Eng. exc. in dial. [′hɔlɪn]Abd. 1716 G. Turreff Antiq. Gleanings (1871) 34:
The body of the devise was a hollin or lawrell branch.Sc. 1721 J. Kelly Proverbs 174:
He never lies, but when the Hollen is green. Meaning that he Lies at all Times.Sc. 1771 The Bonny Hind in Child Ballads No. 50. xi. — xii.:
And he has buried his bonny sister Amang the hollins green . . . "Sing O and O for my bonny hind, Beneath yon hollin tree!"Sc. 1816 Scott Antiquary xxxiii.:
Make your merrymen gather the thorn, and the briar, and the green hollin.Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage 239:
He's led her by the bank sae green, He's wiled her to the Hollan tree.Dmf. 1836 A. Cunningham Lord Roldan II. xii.:
There canna be a better bit than under this hollin tree.Mry. 1852 A. Christie Mountain Strains 97:
Abeen the stable door was hung A hollan bush or rantree rung.Abd. 1931 D. Campbell Uncle Andie 27:
Gin the oak wis a hollan-bus' 'twad get the same cowp eence the lichtnin' reeshled throu't.
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"Hollin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/hollin>
