Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1884
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BACKING, n. Common pasture land at the back of the individual holdings in Highland crofting areas. Cf. Back-faults.Rs. 1884 Crofters' Comm. Evidence II. 1075:
These large spaces . . . form part of the so-called common pasture ground usually styled 'backing' or 'cul' by the crofters.
[A translation of the corresp onding Gael. term cùl, back.]
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"Backing n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/snd00087791>
