bourtree

A little behind went Connoway, in the same manner holding a "bourtree" pop-gun which he had just been fashioning for some lucky callant of his acquaintance.

The Dew of Their Youth 1887

At the byre end the old rowan-trees were creaking and groaning to the violence of the gale, the bourtree bushes were flattened near to the ground, and everywhere was white.

The McBrides A Romance of Arran John Sillars

In some parts of Scotland, people would not put a piece of elder wood into the fire, and I have seen, not many years ago, pieces of this wood lying about unused, when the neighbourhood was in great straits for firewood; but none would use it, and when asked why? the answer was -- "We don't know, but folks say it is not lucky to burn the bourtree."

Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century James Napier 1847

We were told at the time, as a reason for this prohibition, that it was poisonous; but we discovered afterwards that there was another reason, viz., that it was unlucky to break off even a small twig from a bourtree bush.

Folk Lore Superstitious Beliefs in the West of Scotland within This Century James Napier 1847

The wind blew higher, and like a hurricane; the rain began to fall in perfect spouts; the auld kirk rumbled and rowed, and made a sad soughing; and the branches of the bourtree behind the house, where auld Cockburn that cut his throat was burned, creaked and crazed in a frightful manner; but as to the roaring of the troubled waters, and the bumming in the lum-head, they were past all power of description.

The Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith David Macbeth Moir 1824

I was behind that bourtree bush at the very moment.

Guy Mannering 1815

I was behind that bourtree bush at the very moment.

Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Volume 02 Walter Scott 1801

I was behind that bourtree bush at the very moment.

Guy Mannering, Or, the Astrologer — Complete Walter Scott 1801

I was behind that bourtree bush at the very moment.

Guy Mannering — Complete Walter Scott 1801

’ pursued his guide, ‘on this very spot the man fell from his horse—I was behind that bourtree-bush at the very moment.

Chapter LIII 1917