Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1789-1951
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SCRAW, n. Also scra(a). A thin turf or sod, gen. used for roofing (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 423; Dmf. 1894 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 188, Ayr., Uls. 1929; Arg. 1990s); the top paring of turf removed before cutting a peat-bank (Wgt. 1969); the sod of a grave (Uls. 1929). Comb. scra-built. [skrɑ:]Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 42:
Down frae the scra-built shed the swallows pop.Uls. 1834 W. Carleton Traits II. 198:
The scraws were no sooner laid on, than half a dozen thatchers mounted the roof.Wgt. 1877 "Saxon" Gall. Gossip 121:
Over the stones a number of skraws, or thin sods were placed to prevent the mools squeezing the plague out.Uls. 1910 C. C. Russell People and Lang. 63:
A "scraw", as every Ulsterite knows, is a sod or turf used at the gable ends of a thatched roof. "Scraws" are used for lawns, terraces, and even to cover graves.Gall. 1934 Gallovidian Annual 92:
"D'ye want ony mair withies, Donal'?" "Na, but I cud dae wi' a wheen mair scraas."Uls. 1951 E. E. Evans Mourne Country 130:
The scraw was first pared off an area about 12 feet long and 6 wide.
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"Scraw n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 1 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/scraw>
