Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

STOURIE, n. Also stoorie, stoor(a)-, and with variant suffs. stourach, stoorack, -ick; stouram, -um, stooram, -im, -um; stourreen, stoorin, and in comb. stoor(a)-drink (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl.), stoorie-drink (Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 269). A kind of oatmeal gruel, made in various ways but essentially consisting of a spoonful of powdery oatmeal with boiling water poured over it, the sediment being allowed to sink and the liquid drunk off as hot as possible, gen. with a little milk added and salt, treacle, etc. to taste (Sh. 1825 Jam., stourreen, stourum, stoorum; Rnf. c.1850 Crawfurd MSS. (N.L.S.) S. 159; Bnf. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 183, stooram, Sh. 1914 Angus Gl., stoor-drink; Ork. 1929 Marw., stoorie; Arg. 1930, stoorins, Ork. (stourie), ne.Sc. (stoorack, stourrum), Ags., Per. (stourie-drink) 1971). Occas. in pl. [′stu:ri, -ək, -əm]Sc. 1733 Orpheus Caledonius I.55:
Sometimes I am troubled with Gripes in my Wemb, Gin I get nae Stouries, I shall my sel' shame.Abd. 1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes lviii.:
Just mak a drappy o' stoorum to me.Rs. 1923 N. Macrae Romance Royal Burgh 181:
A dish of “stoorack” (a hot drink made with a little oatmeal) being the last before retiring.Inv. 1931 I. Macpherson Shepherd's Cal. 63:
They had bannock and stourach for supper.Sh. 1949 J. Gray Lowrie 57:
A coarn o' stoor-a-drink an' a bannock.Ags. 1966 Weekly Scotsman (3 March) 7:
“Stoorin” — Into a bowl put three tablespoonfuls of fine oatmeal, add one pint of hot water, and leave to soak for an hour. Stir well and pour off the liquid into a pan, add a pinch of salt, 1 teaspoonful sugar, 1 teacup milk and bring to the boil. Add two tablespoonfuls of whisky and drink very hot.