Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1882-1890
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SOWNACK, n. Also sowmack, soundac(k). A bonfire, such as is lit at Halloween (Per. 1971); heavy bog-fir torches such as were used, up till the 19th-c., in Halloween fires (Abd. 1895 Harper's Mag. (Oct.) 713). [′sʌunək; sund-]Per. 1882 S. Carment Scenes and Leg. 41:
From the "Knowes" one saw the "Hallowe'en soundacs" blazing on the hills.Abd. c.1890 in M. M. Banks Cal. Customs III. 115:
Before Halloweven torches and bonefires were made ready. The torches went by the name of 'sowmacks.' They were made of pieces of split bog-fir, tied together with 'streh-rapes', with one end small by which to carry them. They were of various lengths, reaching up to seven feet, according to the age and strength of the one that carried.
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"Sownack n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 3 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/sownack>
