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.
FREESTANE, n. Also frei- (s.Sc.), -steen (n.Sc.). Sc. forms of the now rather obsol. Eng. freestone, a kind of easily worked sandstone; a block of this stone. Also attrib.Sc. 1710 R. Sibbald Fif. & Knr. ii. iv.:
There are many Quarries of good Stone in this Shire, I mean of Free-stone; that at Dalgatie upon the Coast is the best.Edb. 1788 Bk. Old Edb. Club XXIV. 55:
Observed a great number of new freestones lying on the Mound.Abd. 1865 G. Macdonald Alec Forbes xiv.:
I like to work upo' hard stane mysel. Nane o' yer saft freestane, 'at ye cud cut wi' a k-nife, for me!Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 12:
An abeen de yett was a bonnie square free-steen wi' letters cuttid on him.Rxb. 1921 Hawick Express (27 May):
Yon freistane border that's roond th' tablet got on my nerves.Dmf. 1951 Scotsman (26 March):
The well-known red free-stone from this quarry has been used in many public buildings all over Britain.
