Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1934 (SND Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BIRKEN, adj. and n.

1. adj. Made of, consisting of, pertaining to birk, birch.Abd. 1768 A. Ross Helenore 42:
His legs they loos'd, but flighter'd held his hands, An' lasht him hame before wi' birken wands.Ags. 1826 A. Balfour Highland Mary I. x. 213:
Flunky Tam sat hiddlings behind a birken-buss.Edb. 1801 J. Thomson Poems 94:
An' fareweel a' ye birken bow'rs.Bwk. 1879 W. Chisholm Poems 22:
When I open'd my een the fairies were gane An' I lay i' the birken shaw my lane.Rxb. 1901 W. Laidlaw Poetry and Prose (1908) 6:
Down in the woodland glade, Under the birken shade.

2. n. Birch tree. Adj. used as n.Abd. 1923 B. R. M'Intosh Scent o' the Broom 12:
I'll link it my lane ower the dew-dabbled heather, And bide 'neath the birkens doon-bye.Ags. 1897 C. Sievewright in A. Reid Bards of Angus and Mearns 411:
The sweet-scented birkens are leafless and naked.m.Lth. 1882 C. Neill in Edwards Mod. Sc. Poets, IV. 204:
Sweet in the birken the mavis is singing.