Sc. ? Obs. Also 7 swelchee. [ad. ON. svelgr: see SWALLOW sb.2] A whirlpool; also, the local name for the race in Pentland Firth.
a. 1688. J. Wallace, Descr. Orkney, i. (1693), 5. On the North side of this Isle, is a part of the Firth called the Swelchee of Stroma … very dangerous.
1805. Barry, Orkney, I. ii. 44. Did we credit the tales of former times, wells and swelchies, gulphs and whirlpools, are constantly surrounding this island [sc. Swanay], like so many gaping monsters.
1821. Scott, Pirate, xxix. Through all the waws, wells, and swelchies of the Pentland Firth.
