Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
BELL-TREE, n.comb. A tree near a church on which the bell was hung in the absence of a proper belfry.Slg. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 VIII. 102:
At the church-yard gate, there is a noble ash, once the bell-tree, which has weathered at least 200 years. Ags. 1849 J. Robertson Sc. Abbeys (1891) 102:
Such a ‘bell-tree’ is still shown in the park at Auldbar.
