Scottish mother figure (3)
I believe the answer is:
mac
'scottish mother figure' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
'mother figure' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mother).
'figure' becomes 'c' (I've seen this in other clues).
'ma'+'c'='MAC'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mac that I've seen before include "A Gaelic son, often in name" , "PC" , "It may help you keep dry" , "Overcoat" , "A rainproof" .)