Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1875-1923
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SCRAUCHLE, v., n. Also scrauchel, scrachle. [skrǫxl]
I. v. To scramble with hands and feet, to clamber in a hasty clumsy manner (Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Slg., Peb., w. and sm.Sc., Slk. 1969); to move about with difficulty (Cld. 1880 Jam.).Lnk. 1875 T. Stewart Doric Rhyme 139:
I fain wad scrauchel up a stap.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 297:
Jamie scrauchled out, he flew past his claes.Kcb. 1911 G. M. Gordon Auld Clay Biggin' 9:
Efter she had scrachled intil the box bed.Arg. 1917 A. W. Blue Quay Head Tryst 119:
He's sure it's a city o' Wee Bethels wi' a sate at the gate for some frien's like me, that hae juist scrachled in an' nae mair.Lnk. 1923 G. Rae Langsyne vii.:
Is there nae possibility o' Bob scrauchlin' up what's left o' Crosscryne?
II. n. A clamber, scramble, crawl (Cld. 1880 Jam.).
[Variant of Scraffle, phs. with influence from Sprauchle.]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Scrauchle v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/scrauchle>
