A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Scale-stair(e, n. Also: scaill-, scaile-, skaill-; scald-. [Scale n.3 and stair.] ? A straight (as opposed to a spiral) flight of steps.1603 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 June.
The south entrie thairof to be ane skaill stair of tymer cloislie cled beneth & on the sydes with aik 1633 M. Works Acc. (ed.) II 380.
For the long window in the scald stair 1643 Thanes of Cawdor 285.
Ane skaill stair to the hich galrie abowe the great hall 1643 Edinb. B. Rec. VIII 28.
Twa housses ilk ane of them twa hous hight togidder with ane skaill stair betwix the saids twa housses 1672 Soc. Ant. XIV 329.
[To erect] ane fyne handsome scale staire twentie-three foott squaire, all of aisler fyne hewen stone, to serve the secound storie, fynelie wrought with fyne railles and ballasters with handsome pilasters globes and pendents, each steppe being of one peece and lopped knitt and hung in the other, according to the draught and modell thereof done and wrought in timber 1674 Edinb. B. Rec. X 201.
The scaill stair … upon the east cheick of the enterie to Grayes Closs 1675 M. Works Acc. MS XXX 22.
Wanscott to be mullerings for the new scaill stair 1676 Mylne Master Masons 199.
Wainscott ballasters, standing and hanging knups for the timber scaile stair 1686 Murray Lyon Hist. Lodge Edinb. 20.
To make for his essy ane house … with ane large scaill stair for ane entrie, with ane turnpyke in the back syd 1701 Cramond Kirk S. IV 23 July.
That … entry to his said upper loft be by a scale staire … stretching northward and landeing by ane platte above the lower doore
