The Scottish language has changed over the
years, being influenced by other languages and
cultures. This section provides you with a definition
of those words and phrases commonly found in
documents and records throughout Scotland's
archives. If you know of a word you would like
added to the Glossary then please contact
us.
a method of holding lands in Orkney and Shetland
which did not require the holder to have sasine,
or even to have a charter to the lands, but
only to have evidence of his undisturbed occupation
of the lands; such lands were held direct from
the Crown for a payment called "skat"
not separated from the father's family, still
living at home
usucapio, or usucaption
the Latin legal terms for long, uninterrupted
and unchallenged possession of a thing or a
right, which conferred an entitlement to that
property or right.
