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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.

SWARRACH, n., v. Also swarrich, swarch, swargh; swarrack, -ig (Sh.); ¶squarrich. [′swɑrəx]

I. n. 1. A crowd of people (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187), a numerous collection, a swarm, esp. of young children in a family, also occas. of other living creatures (ne.Sc. 1972).Abd. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 63:
A swargh o' gladsome neibour fock, That glomin did forgather.Abd. 1936 D. Bruce Cried on Sunday 9:
Fechten masel' to fesh up a swarrach o' geets.Abd. 1955 W. P. Milne Eppie Elrick xi.:
Swarmin up 'e Links like a swarrach o' horny gollachs.Bnff. 1958 Banffshire Jnl. (1 April):
Tibbie an' him reared a squarrich o' fine loons an' quines there.

2. A large disorderly heap (Sh., Ags. 1825 Jam.), an entangled mass (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187); a large quantity of liquid (Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., swarrack, -ig).

II. v. To crowd together in confusion, to mill (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 187); of a place: to swarm with living creatures (Bnff., Abd. 1972). Vbl.n. swarrachan, a throng, a crowd.Gregor:
There wiz a sod swarrichan o' fouck oot an in a' day.Bnff. 1930 Abd. Press & Jnl. (17 April):
The place is jist swarrachin wi' rottans.