Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1719, 1787, 1843-1864, 1951
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SHIN, n. Also shind (Ags.). Sc. usages:
1. A ridge or steep face of a hill, a projecting part of a piece of high ground (‡Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.; Dmf. 1925 Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. XIII. 37; w.Lth. 1970). Combs. shin-end, the lower end of a slope (Watson), shin o the brae, id. (ne.Sc. 1970).Dmf. 1843 Trans. Highl. Soc. 637:
At the bottom of a shin of the hill.Dmf. 1864 Carlyle Fred. the Great IV. 76:
The eastern shin of the Harz Range.Abd. 1951 Buchan Observer (27 Nov.):
Branch, or tributary drains should extend into what is called "the shin o' the brae."
2. In comb. shin-buird, a wedge or piece of wood used to hold a mast firm when it is stepped (Bnff. 1940).
3. As in Eng. in phr. to set or turn out the brunt side o one's shin, to be proud of oneself, to hold one's head high, be quite uplifted. Sc. 1719 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) I. 127:
Set out the burnt Side of your Shin, For Pride in Poets is nae Sin. Ayr. 1787 Burns Letters (Ferguson) No. 140:
I have "turn'd out the brunt side o' my shin" at the idea of my Petition for the poor naked Falls of Bruar being so well received at Blair.
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"Shin n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/shin>
