Scots

Scotch, Scots, Scottish

1. The favoured terms are a Scot or Scotsman or Scotswoman for a person from Scotland, Scottish as the general adjective relating to Scotland, and Scots for any of the dialect forms of English spoken in (especially Lowland) Scotland (to be distinguished from Scottish English which is a variety of standard English). Scots is also used in certain expressions such as Scots law and the Scots Guards (but Scottish Rifles, another former regimental name).

2. The adjective and noun Scotch, though regularly used by Burns and Scott, fell out of favour in the 19c and is now confined to certain fixed expressions such as Scotch broth, Scotch eggs, Scotch mist, and Scotch whisky. Even among these there have been some adjustments: the dog formerly called Scotch terrier, for example, is now known as a Scottish terrier. Outside the UK, and especially in America, Scotch is likely to occur more often.