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A mains (Scottish Gaelic: mànas) in Scotland is a farm, or the buildings of a farm.[1] This may include the farmhouse, farm buildings such as a byre, dairy, and workers' cottages. It is pseudo-plural, actually being a Lowland Scots corruption of domains or demesne,[1][2] and so is never used in the form "main" (except occasionally in the tautological "main farm", although this usage is not traditional).
- ^ a b "Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)". Dictionary of the Scots Language.
1. The home farm of an estate [...] 2. The outbuildings of a farm, as distinct from the farmhouse... Aphaeretic form of domains, O.Fr. demeine (Eng. demesne), Med.Lat. dominicum, "the lord (of the manor)'s lands".
- ^ The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary