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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

FORESTAIR, n. Also †forstair (Mry. 1730 Elgin Kirk-Session Rec. (ed. Cramond 1897) 327). An open outside stair leading to the first floor of a building. Gen.Sc., now mostly in describing old buildings.Sc. 1703 Chrons. Atholl and Tullibardine Families I. 505:
The horses run themselves against a fore staire near Cammel's land and stopped.Edb. 1734 Caled. Mercury (11 July):
Comprehending an Hall, two Chambers, a Laigh House, a Fore-stair, Cellar, two Shops or Booths.Bnff. 1775 in W. Cramond Ann. Banff (S.C.) I. 323:
James Alexander has erected a forestair adjoining the South front of his new house.Sc. 1818 Scott Rob Roy xiv.:
Sae mony royal boroughs yoked on end to end, . . . with their hie-streets, . . . and houses of stane and lime and forestairs.Sc. 1825 R. Chambers Trad. Edb. II. 181:
A fore stair, . . . now almost extinct, consisting of a flight of steps, ascending from the pavement to the second flat of the mansion and protruding a considerable way into the street.Fif. 1894 J. Geddie Fringes of Fife x.:
The red-tiled, steep-ridged houses crowding together and turning their crow-stepped gables and forestairs to the street and their backs to the blast.Edb. 1931 E. Albert Herrin' Jennie 134:
The mediaeval forestair . . . decorated the outside wall much in the manner that a companion-ladder graces the side of a ship.Sc. 1951 Hist. Mon. Comm., City of Edb. 77:
The forestair leads from the Lawnmarket to a landing beneath the corbelling previously mentioned, whence a low doorway on the right admits to the first floor.