Obsolete Scottish units of measurement
Encyclopedia
Scotland
had a distinct system of measures and weights
until at least the late 18th century, based on the ell
as a unit of length
, the stone as a unit of mass and the boll
and the firlot
as units of dry measure
. This official system coexisted with local variants, especially for the measurement of land.
The system is said to have been introduced by David I of Scotland
(1124–53), although there are no surviving records until the 15th century when the system was already in normal use. Standard measures and weights were kept in each burgh
, and these were periodically compared against one another at "assizes of measures", often during the early years of the reign of a new monarch. Nevertheless, there was considerable local variation in many of the units, and the units of dry measure steadily increased in size from 1400 to 1700.
The Scots units of length were technically replaced by the English system by an Act
of the Parliament of Scotland
in 1685, and the other units by the Treaty of Union with England in 1706. However many continued to be used locally during the 18th century. The introduction of the Imperial system by the Weights and Measures Act 1824 saw the end of any formal use in trade and commerce, although some informal use as customary units continued into the 20th century.
ell : The ell was the basic unit of length, equal to 37 inches. The "Barony ell" of 42 inches was used as the basis for land measurement in the Four Towns area near Lochmaben
, Dumfriesshire
.
Scottish inch : As in England. A fraudulent smaller inch of of an ell is also recorded.
foot : 12 inches.
yard
: 36 inches. Rarely used except with English units, although it appears in a Act of Parliament from 1432: "The king's officer, as is foresaid, shall have a horn, and each one a red wand of three-quarters of a yard at least."
fall : 6 ells, or 222 inches. Identical to the Scots rod
and raip ("rope").
Scots mile : 320 falls (1973⅓ yards), but varied from place to place. Obsolete by the 19th century. The Royal Mile
in Edinburgh
is longer than an English mile (1760 yards) but roughly the length of a Scots mile.
.
Eastern Scotland:
:
) and "Tron Measure" (Edinburgh
), which were standardised in 1661. In the Troy system these often bore the same name as imperial measures.
Various local measures all existed, often using local weighing stones.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
had a distinct system of measures and weights
Units of measurement
A unit of measurement is a definite magnitude of a physical quantity, defined and adopted by convention and/or by law, that is used as a standard for measurement of the same physical quantity. Any other value of the physical quantity can be expressed as a simple multiple of the unit of...
until at least the late 18th century, based on the ell
Ell
An ell , is a unit of measurement, approximating the length of a man's arm.Several national forms existed, with different lengths, includingthe Scottish ell ,the Flemish ell ,the French ell...
as a unit of length
Length
In geometric measurements, length most commonly refers to the longest dimension of an object.In certain contexts, the term "length" is reserved for a certain dimension of an object along which the length is measured. For example it is possible to cut a length of a wire which is shorter than wire...
, the stone as a unit of mass and the boll
Boll
The boll is an obsolete unit formerly used for grain.Boll or Böll is a German surname. Notable people with the surname include:* Buzz Boll , Canadian ice hockey player* Don Boll , American football player...
and the firlot
Firlot
In Scotland, the firlot was a dry measure used until the introduction of Imperial units by the Weights and Measures Act 1824.By an Act of the Scottish Parliament of 1617, the commissioners' firlot of Linlithgow was made the standard for the whole of Scotland, but, in fact, two units were defined...
as units of dry measure
Dry measure
Dry measures are units of volume used to measure bulk commodities which are not gas or liquid. They are typically used in agriculture, agronomy, and commodity markets to measure grain, dried beans, and dried and fresh fruit ; formerly also salt pork and fish...
. This official system coexisted with local variants, especially for the measurement of land.
The system is said to have been introduced by David I of Scotland
David I of Scotland
David I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
(1124–53), although there are no surviving records until the 15th century when the system was already in normal use. Standard measures and weights were kept in each burgh
Burgh
A burgh was an autonomous corporate entity in Scotland and Northern England, usually a town. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs. Burgh status was broadly analogous to borough status, found in the rest of the United...
, and these were periodically compared against one another at "assizes of measures", often during the early years of the reign of a new monarch. Nevertheless, there was considerable local variation in many of the units, and the units of dry measure steadily increased in size from 1400 to 1700.
The Scots units of length were technically replaced by the English system by an Act
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of Scotland
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
in 1685, and the other units by the Treaty of Union with England in 1706. However many continued to be used locally during the 18th century. The introduction of the Imperial system by the Weights and Measures Act 1824 saw the end of any formal use in trade and commerce, although some informal use as customary units continued into the 20th century.
Length
Lochmaben
Lochmaben is a small town in Scotland, and site of a once-important castle. It lies four miles west of Lockerbie, in Dumfries and Galloway.-Notable people:*Angus Douglas - Scottish internationalist footballer...
, Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
.
Scottish inch : As in England. A fraudulent smaller inch of of an ell is also recorded.
foot : 12 inches.
yard
Yard
A yard is a unit of length in several different systems including English units, Imperial units and United States customary units. It is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches...
: 36 inches. Rarely used except with English units, although it appears in a Act of Parliament from 1432: "The king's officer, as is foresaid, shall have a horn, and each one a red wand of three-quarters of a yard at least."
fall : 6 ells, or 222 inches. Identical to the Scots rod
Rod (unit)
The rod is a unit of length equal to 5.5 yards, 5.0292 metres, 16.5 feet, or of a statute mile. A rod is the same length as a perch or a pole. In old English, the term lug is also used.-History:...
and raip ("rope").
Scots mile : 320 falls (1973⅓ yards), but varied from place to place. Obsolete by the 19th century. The Royal Mile
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a succession of streets which form the main thoroughfare of the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh in Scotland.As the name suggests, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots mile long, and runs between two foci of history in Scotland, from Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Castle...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
is longer than an English mile (1760 yards) but roughly the length of a Scots mile.
Area
A number of conflicting systems were used for area, sometimes bearing the same names in different regions, but working on different conversion rates. Because some of the systems were based on what land would produce, rather than the physical area, they are listed in their own section. Please see individual articles for more specific information. Because fertility varied widely, in many areas, production was considered a more practical measure.Area by size
For information on the squared units, please see the appropriate articles in the length section- Square inch
- Square ell
- Square Fall/Faw
- RoodRood (Scots)A Scottish rood was a land measurement of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was in greatest use in the South East of Scotland, and along the border, whereas in the north various other systems were used, based on the land's productivity, rather than actual area...
- AcreAcre (Scots)A Scottish acre was a land measurement used in the country. It was standardised in 1661. English acres were imposed in 1824 by an Act of Parliament, and the metric system is also used in Scotland.Equivalent to -* Scottish measures** 4 roods* Metric system...
Area by production
Eastern Scotland:
- OxgangOxgangAn oxgang or bovate is an old land measurement formerly used in Scotland and England. It averaged around 20 English acres, but was based on land fertility and cultivation, and so could be as low as 15.Skene in Celtic Scotland says:...
(Damh-imir) = the area an ox could plough in a year (around 20 acres) - PloughgatePloughgateA ploughgate was a Scottish land measurement, used in the south and the east of the country. It was supposed to be the area that eight oxen were said to be able to plough in one year. Because of the variable land quality in Scotland, this could be a number of different actual land areas...
(?) = 8 oxgangs - DaughDavochThe Davoch, Davach or Daugh is an ancient Scottish land measurement. All of these terms are cognate with modern Scottish Gaelic Dabhach. The word Dabh or Damh means an ox , but Dabhach can also refer to a "tub", so may indicate productivity...
(Dabhach/Davoch) = 4 ploughgates
Area by taxation/rent
In western Scotland, including GallowayGalloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
:
- MarklandMarkland (Scots)A markland or merkland is an old Scottish unit of land measurement.There was some local variation in the equivalences, for example, in some places eight ouncelands were equal to one markland, but in others, such as Islay, a markland was twelve ouncelands...
(Marg-fhearann) = 8 Ouncelands (varied) - OuncelandOuncelandAn ounceland is a traditional Scottish land measurement. It was found in the West Highlands, and Hebrides. In Eastern Scotland, other measuring systems were used instead. It was equivalent to 20 pennylands or one eighth of a markland. Like those measurements, it is based on the rent paid, rather...
(Tir-unga) =20 Pennylands - PennylandPennylandA pennyland is an old Scottish land measurement. It was found in the West Highlands, and also Galloway, and believed to be of Norse origin. It is frequently found in minor placenames.Skene in Celtic Scotland says:The Rev...
(Peighinn) = basic unit; sub-divided into half pennyHalf pennyHalfpenny, half penny, or ha'penny may refer to:Coins:* Half penny * Halfpenny * Halfpenny * Halfpenny * Halfpenny...
-land and farthing-land - (Other terms in use; QuarterlandQuarterlandA Quarterland or Ceathramh was a Scottish land measurement. It was used mainly in the west and north.It was supposed to be equivalent to eight fourpennylands, roughly equivalent to a quarter of a markland. However in Islay, a quarterland was equivalent to a quarter of an ounceland...
(Ceathramh): variable value; GroatlandGroatlandA groatland, also known as a fourpenceland, fourpennyland or “Còta bàn” was a Scottish land measurement. It was so called, because the annual rent paid on it was a Scottish “groat” .- See also :...
(Còta bàn)
Dry volume
Dry volume measures were slightly different for various types of grain, but often bore the same name.- ChalderChalderA chalder is an ancient Scottish dry measure, applied to grains, varying with the grain being measured....
- Boll
- FirlotFirlotIn Scotland, the firlot was a dry measure used until the introduction of Imperial units by the Weights and Measures Act 1824.By an Act of the Scottish Parliament of 1617, the commissioners' firlot of Linlithgow was made the standard for the whole of Scotland, but, in fact, two units were defined...
- PeckPeckA peck is an imperial and U.S. customary unit of dry volume, equivalent to 2 gallons or 8 dry quarts or 16 dry pints. Two pecks make a kenning , and four pecks make a bushel....
- Lippie or Forpet
Fluid
- GillGill (unit)The gill is a unit of measurement for volume equal to a quarter of a pint. It is no longer in common use, except in regard to the volume of alcoholic spirits measures but it is also kept alive by the occasional reference, such as in the cumulative song, "The Barley Mow".Imperial gillUnited States...
- MutchkinMutchkinDisambiguation: a "mutchkin" can also refer a close-fitting Scottish cap.The mutchkin was a Scottish unit of measurement of liquids that was in use from at least 1661, , until the late 19th century. The word was derived from mutse - a mid 15th-century Dutch measure of beer or wine...
- Chopin
- Pint (Scots)JougThe joug or Scottish pint was a Scottish unit of measurement of liquids that was in use from at least 1661, , until the early 19th century...
/Joug - GallonGallon (Scots)The Scots gallon was a Scottish unit of measurement of liquids that was in use from at least 1661, , until the mid 19th century. It was approximately three times larger than an Imperial gallon that was adopted in 1824....
Weight
Weight was measure according to "Troy Measure" (LanarkLanark
Lanark is a small town in the central belt of Scotland. Its population of 8,253 makes it the 100th largest settlement in Scotland. The name is believed to come from the Cumbric Lanerc meaning "clear space, glade"....
) and "Tron Measure" (Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
), which were standardised in 1661. In the Troy system these often bore the same name as imperial measures.
- Drop/drap
- Ounce
- Pound/Poon
- Stone/Stane
Various local measures all existed, often using local weighing stones.
See also
- Units of measurementUnits of measurementA unit of measurement is a definite magnitude of a physical quantity, defined and adopted by convention and/or by law, that is used as a standard for measurement of the same physical quantity. Any other value of the physical quantity can be expressed as a simple multiple of the unit of...
- Systems of measurementSystems of measurementA system of measurement is a set of units which can be used to specify anything which can be measured and were historically important, regulated and defined because of trade and internal commerce...
- History of measurementHistory of measurementUnits of measurement were among the earliest tools invented by humans. Primitive societies needed rudimentary measures for numerous tasks such as: constructing dwellings of an appropriate size and shape, fashioning clothing, or bartering food or raw materials....
- Scottish coinageScottish coinageThe coinage of Scotland covers a range of currency and coins in Scotland during Classical antiquity, the reign of ancient provincial kings, royal dynasties of the ancient Kingdom of Scotland and the later Mediaeval and Early modern periods....
- Scottish pronunciation
External links
- Scottish Weights and Measures on Scottish Archive network (SCAN)