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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.

YARPHA, n. Also yarf(f)a, yarfie, yarfo, jarfo, jarfi (Jak.); in Sh. also in reduced forms yarf(f), jarf. [′jɑrf(ə)]

1. Peat moss of a shallow depth, combined with clay and sand and so of a poorer quality for fuel, the mossy part of the peat being characteristically full of fibres and roots (Ork. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIX. 394, yarfo, 1813 N. Carlisle Topogr. Dict. Scot. Gl., 1866 Edm. Gl., 1929 Marw.; Cai. 1956; Ork. 1974). Also attrib. and in adj. form yarfi, jarfi, jarfy, of a peat: mossy, fibrous (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928), 1914 Angus Gl.).Ork. 1775 J. Fea Present State (1884) 105:
A species of Turf, called Yarfa.Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. Ork. 10:
This substance [peat-moss], combined with clay or with sand, forms a soil here as common as any other, and universally known by the name of Yarpha, or bog soil, whose characteristic is a black colour, connected with the power of retaining moisture.Ork. 1884 R. M. Fergusson Rambles 181:
The other sort [of peats] is brown and looks well, but does not burn so well as the other; it is popularly known by the name of yarpha.Ork. 1910 Old-Lore Misc. III. iv. 205:
Along the side wall two flag-stones were set up to form the “paetie-neuk,” where the day's supplyof yarpha and good “coal-peats” was stored.Ork. 1930 Orcadian (13 Feb.):
The auld faelie dikes universal in Moorland Orcadia of old when all toon dikes were built of yarpha or moor faels.

2. A peat-bog, swamp (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1908), 1914 Angus Gl.), a water-filled hole in a moss; poor damp ground covered with matted vegetation (Jak.).Sh. 1897 Shetland News (29 May):
A hill fou o' yarfs, myres, ert-biles, muiry dubs, an' muckle burns.Sh. 1899 J. Spence Folk-Lore 224:
At the entrance to a yarff near the side of a burn.