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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WASTLIN, adj., adv. Also was(s)lin, waslen; westlin, westlen (Sc. 1728 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) II. 72). [′wɑsɪn]

I. adj. Western, from or in the west, westerly (Cld. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., wasslin). Also in n.Eng. dial. Comb. wastlin herrin, herring from the west of Scotland, west-coast herring. See Loch Fyne, and also Warsle, v., 4. (1).Sc. 1722 Ramsay Poems (S.T.S.) III. 24:
Ere the Sun, tho' he be dry, Has driven down the Westlin Sky.Lnk. a.1779 D. Graham Writings (1883) II. 49:
A Glasgow magistrate, which fishwives ca's a waslen herrin.Ayr. 1781 Burns My Nanie, O ii.:
The westlin wind blaws loud an' shill.Wgt. 1804 R. Couper Poems I. 72:
Awhile the pleased ling'ring sun, On westlin mountains lease.Slk. 1818 Hogg B. of Bodsbeck v.:
He had hired a wastlin, auldish quean.Kcd. 1856 W. Jamie Jacobite's Son 16:
A hame-spun gown and wastlin' plaid Was dress enough — she had nae ither.Rxb. 1902 Trans. Hawick Arch. Soc. 12:
Old people invariably talked of westlin and eastlin winds.Abd. 1922 G. P. Dunbar Whiff o' Doric 17:
Saft as westlin' win' sae fine.

II. adv. From or in the west.Kcb. 1789 D. Davidson Seasons 96:
The stars yestreen, shot westlin down the lift.Lnk. 1919 G. Rae Clyde and Tweed 15:
When the wunds o' peace frae Heaven blaw wastlin'.