Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1845, 1923
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CALCHEN, n. “A square frame of wood, with ribs across it, in the form of a gridiron, on which the people in the North of Scot. dry their candle-fir, in the chinmey” (Abd. 1808 Jam.; Abd.9 (Logie Coldstone) 1938). Also kilchan, kilchin, kelchin, an open iron rack hung in a chimney to dry “fir-candles” (Abd. 1912 Catalogue Univ. Anthrop. Museum 21). Also fig., an offensive term for a strong but lazy man who loafs about the fireside (Abd.8 1917, “a sweer kilchan”, Abd.2 1941). Cf. Coulichan. [′kɑlxən, ′kɪlçən]Abd. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 XII. 534:
Being dried on the kilchan, or on a kind of rough brander with spiral bars, they are made use of in place of candles.Abd. 1923 J. R. Imray Village Roupie 7:
A kilchan, a quern, an auld eelie lamp.
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"Calchen n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/calchen>
