Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TARBET, n. Also tarburt. An isthmus or neck of land between two navigable stretches of water, specif. one over which a boat could be drawn. Freq. in place-names, Tarbert. Gael. [′tɑrbərt]Arg. 1845 Stat. Acc.² VII. 136:
A narrow isthmus or tarburt, over which boats were drawn.Wgt. 1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wgt. 64:
Advantage was taken of the conformation of the land to form a tarbet.