Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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SPITAL, n. Also spittal(l), spittle. As in Eng., a place built by ancient charity, as of the Church, the Knights Hospitallers, etc., for the accommodation of the sick or the destitute, later specif. in Scot., a hospice or shelter, esp. in mountainous country, for travellers. Freq. in place-names throughout Scot., as in Cai., Inv., Bnff., Abd., Ags., Per., Bwk., Rxb. (see quots.). [′spɪtəl]Abd. 1721 Invercauld Rec. (S.C.) 357:
A pairt of the Shelling called hospitall or Spittall Haugh.n.Sc. 1771 T. Pennant Tour 1769 116:
In many parts of the Highlands were hospitia for the reception of travellers, called by the Scotch, Spittles, or hospitals.Per. 1813 N. Carlisle Topog. Dict. s.v. Glen Shee:
Near The Spital of Glen Shee.Kcd. 1895 A. I. McConnochie Deeside 68:
The Cairn o' Mount road is quite safe now; there's honest folk at the Spital.Abd. 1952 W. M. Alexander Place-Names 377:
All the Mounth crossings apparently had Spittals, or rest-houses for travellers, as is indicated by the existing names; Dalnaspidal, on Drumochter; the Shanspittle, Braemar; Spittal of Muick; and the Spittal on the Cairn o' Mount round.