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.
Quotation dates: 1784, 1860
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RAMPS, n. Also ramsh. The wild garlic, Allium ursinum (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 403; Per. 1825 Jam.; Bwk. 1853 G. Johnston Botany E. Borders 198, Dmf. 1889 Proc. Dmf. & Gall. Antiq. Soc. 152; Uls. a.1908 Traynor (1953); Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Kcb.10 1939). Also in Eng. dial. Reduced form ramp in comb. ramp-leeks, ramplicks (Rnf. 1837 Crawfurd MSS. XI. 60).Per. 1784 Trans. Soc. Antiq. Scot. (1818) II. 70:
On these hills is found a mountain leek, or “ramsh” as it is here named, whereon the goats feed, and sometimes their milk smells of it.Lth. 1860 J. Locke Tweed & Don 31:
The number of ramps, or wild onions, which grow abundantly on the south side.
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"Ramps n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/ramps>
