I think that's a better guess than 'working' which is what I'd suggested - waulking their hose makes sense. Jenny >Would "waking yr hose" mean waulking (as in fulling cloth) their hose, i.e. >stockings? > >The language seems to me to be all Scots (with the odd Latin phrase thrown >in), don't see any Gaelic in there, > >Janet >

waulking their hose makes sense. WELLLL if the above makes sense - what does it mean? makes no sense to me, (I am giggling, not being nasty)> Ruth

I agree with Janet that "waking yr hose in the milne" must mean "waulking" (i.e. fulling) their stockings. This was definitely the kind of labour that was forbidden on the Sabbath. And yes, stockings -- or tights -- had to be deliberately wet, kneaded and shrunk to make them thick and tight-fitting. As for the "milne" or mill, the "waulking" was most likely done in Kilmarnock Water, not far from the Kirk. In 1652 there was a millpond there, close to the site of today's Kilmarnock Cross (long since paved over). As Thomas Smellie wrote in 'Sketches of Old Kilmarnock' (1898) Ch. IV: "By a charter granted to Kilmarnock in 1591, permission was given 'to have and hold a market cross'. For many years a corn mill stood at the Cross, on the spot now partly occupied by the monument to Sir James Shaw */[moved to its present position near the Dick Institute in 1929]/*. The mill-wheel was driven by an open lade, which ran from Clerk's Lane, through the Cross, to the old bridge near Cheapside. .. The old mill was removed in 1703, and the stone cross in 1709, when it was 'agreed by the Baillies and Council convened _nemine contradicente_ that the Cross at the Mercat Place, with the stones thereto belonging, be taken down, and that the ground whereon the same stands be caswayed, and that forthwith'." This happened in the summer of 1652 - probably good weather for a wee waulk! John Humphrey (Toronto)

I don't know why it's taking so long for everything I post to show up, John, but here's my take on this subject, beginning with definitions from the Scots Dictionary at http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/index.html. It's too bad so many on the list are coming to the same conclusion as you without the advantage of having all the facts and possibilities ... 1. Variant spellings of the verb "walk" include wak, wake, and others. Definitions include, among others: (1) to be or remain awake, esp. at or all night (2) to wake up or awaken from sleep (3) to keep watch over, guard 2. Variant spellings of the noun "hose" include hoes, hois, hois(s)e, hos, howis, and others. Definitions include: (1) a stocking; or stockings of mail as part of a suit of armour (2) the sheath enclosing an ear of corn (3) the neck of a golf-club, where the head is fitted into the shaft With regard to "hose" definition (2), the dictionary also gives this notable example of usage from Ayr. (Aug.) 1802 Farmer's Mag. 390: "Opening the socket, or hose, as it is called, when the number of grains are all formed and just ready to appear." In light of the above, and given that this event occurred in the middle of the Little Ice Age when there was a serious shortage of food, I believe the offense with which the men were accused very likely was guarding their ripening corn when expected to be in church. Loretta Lynn Layman -----Original Message----- From: ayrshire-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:ayrshire-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of John Humphrey Sent: Monday, February 22, 2010 8:39 PM Cc: ayrshire@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [AYR] Kilmarnock Kirk Session Minutes, note 61 I agree with Janet that "waking yr hose in the milne" must mean "waulking" (i.e. fulling) their stockings. This was definitely the kind of labour that was forbidden on the Sabbath. And yes, stockings -- or tights -- had to be deliberately wet, kneaded and shrunk to make them thick and tight-fitting. As for the "milne" or mill, the "waulking" was most likely done in Kilmarnock Water, not far from the Kirk. In 1652 there was a millpond there, close to the site of today's Kilmarnock Cross (long since paved over). As Thomas Smellie wrote in 'Sketches of Old Kilmarnock' (1898) Ch. IV: "By a charter granted to Kilmarnock in 1591, permission was given 'to have and hold a market cross'. For many years a corn mill stood at the Cross, on the spot now partly occupied by the monument to Sir James Shaw */[moved to its present position near the Dick Institute in 1929]/*. The mill-wheel was driven by an open lade, which ran from Clerk's Lane, through the Cross, to the old bridge near Cheapside. .. The old mill was removed in 1703, and the stone cross in 1709, when it was 'agreed by the Baillies and Council convened _nemine contradicente_ that the Cross at the Mercat Place, with the stones thereto belonging, be taken down, and that the ground whereon the same stands be caswayed, and that forthwith'." This happened in the summer of 1652 - probably good weather for a wee waulk! John Humphrey (Toronto) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to AYRSHIRE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message