E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Reekie (Auld).
Chambers says: “An old patriarchal laird (Durham of Largo) was in the habit of regulating the time of evening worship by the appearance of the smoke of Edinburgh… . When it increased in density, in consequence of the good folk preparing supper, he would … say, ‘It is time noo, bairns, to tak the buiks and gang to our beds, for yonder’s auld Reekie, I see, putting on her night-cap.’”
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“Yonder is auld Reekie. You may see the smoke hover over her at twenty miles’ distance.”—Sir W. Scott: The Abbot, xvii.
