SCL r. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 37 



the sea, most of the new buildings along the 

 coast have been supplied with stones for the 

 hewn-v?ork. In the parish of Strathmiglo there 

 is an extensive bed of freestone of a dark-red 

 colour, which not only answers well for build- 

 ing houses and enclosing ground, but, from the 

 manner in which the strata are formed and ly, 

 is peculiarly fitted for pavement, and, when de- 

 signed for that use, can be wrought with greater 

 ease and less expence. On the north side of the 

 Lomond hills, and also in the parish of Dun- 

 fermline, there are vast rocks of white freestone, 

 which, from its colour, its durability, and its sus- 

 ceptibility of a fine polish, is excellent for hearths, 

 and the jambs and lintels of chimnevs, and for 

 the corners, and the doors and windows of 

 houses. 



Besides freestone, there is great plenty of 

 whin-stone, especially in the northern division. 

 This is a valuable material, and capable of being 

 applied to many useful purposes, particularly to 

 the making of roads, inclosing and draining land, 

 and the building of houses. To this last men- 

 tioned purpose, a great deal of it is excellently 

 adapted. It is of a fine colour, is capable of 

 being neatly dressed, takes firm band, and strong- 

 ly resists the weather. Houses constructed of 

 this kind of stone, when the architecture is un- 

 der the management of masons skilled and prac- 

 tised in this kind of work, besides strength and 

 durability, have an elegant and pleasing appear- 

 ance. 



Near Burntislanu, upon the shore, and also 

 in some other parts of the county, there are 

 quarries of hard stone, of a dark colour, to be 



