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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

LECKERSTANE, n. Also lickar-, licker, lecture-, lackerstone, liquorstane. A large conspicuous stone of some sort which has given its name to various localities in Kincardine, Angus, Kinross and Fife (Leckerstone, Lickerstanes, Liquorstane) and in Aberdeenshire (Liggarsteen), traditionally a stone on which a coffin was rested on its way to a churchyard.Fif. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIV. 120:
At no great distance from the church, and on the way to it from the Abbey of Lindores, there are a few stones called the Licker-Stones: Antiquaries have conjectured licker to be a corruption and contraction of lecturer, and with much show of probability have observed, that formerly, when Bibles were scarce, and the capacity of reading them was confined to a few, the people might assemble at such stones to hear the scriptures read to them.Abd. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XII. 569:
About a hundred yards to the west of said farm, is to be seen a large whinstone … which is called the Liggar's Stane, and which is said to have been put up in its present situation, to mark the spot where the females who followed the soldiers, and who were slain in the battle, were buried.Fif. 1931 J. Wilkie Bygone Fife 147:
Below … the modern road to Cupar by Montrave stood the Lickarstane. This term, though of not infrequent occurrence was wont to be the source of much speculation, … the more ignorant confusing “lickar” with “liquor,” and a dim recollection of half-forgotten tales picturing its association with funerals.Sc. 1947 A. McCormick Galloway 211:
There grew up the system of having what were known as “lecker-stanes,” where the coffin rested.Fif. 1962 Scots Mag. (June) 208: 
Where the road from Kirkcaldy to Perth crosses the road from Freuchie to Falkland, there used to be a hotel called the Liquorstane.