Legal Definitions - tocher

TOCHER

In Scots law, a tocher refers to a dowry, which is a sum of money or property that a bride brings to her husband upon marriage.

1. Mary's tocher included a piece of land and a herd of cattle that she inherited from her father.

2. The groom's family requested a large tocher from the bride's family before agreeing to the marriage.

The examples illustrate how a tocher is a form of dowry that can include various types of property, such as land, livestock, or money. In traditional Scottish culture, the tocher was an important part of the marriage agreement and was often negotiated between the families of the bride and groom. The tocher was intended to provide financial security for the newlyweds and to ensure that the bride was not left without resources in the event of her husband's death or abandonment.