Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/417

 SCOTTISH ARCHITECTURE. Architecture in Scotland followed on much the same lines as in England, until the middle of the fifteenth century, when it took a more national turn. Inspiration was largely drawn from abroad, especially from France, with which country there was a close political connection, causing a picturesque and interesting development on French lines, especially after Robert Bruce (a.d. 1306-1329) finally secured the independence of Scotland. In Melrose Abbey is to be seen the influence of French and Spanish Art, while in Rosslyn Chapel Portuguese influence is apparent, for it is very similar in detail to the Church of Belem near Lisbon. The most important Cathedrals are those of Edinburgh (S. Giles), Glasgow (No. 120 d) (having no transepts but a famous crypt), S. Andrew, Kirkwall, Dunblane, Aberdeen and Elgin, and the Abbeys of Kelso, Melrose, Dunfermline, Holy- rood and Dryburgh are the best known. In these the lancet window, either singly or in groups, was used long after it had been discontinued in England, while in the later period the Flamboyant tracery of French Gothic was followed in preference to the Perpendicular style of English Gothic. The Pele or bastle houses were of the tower class, with pro- jecting turrets at angles, and consisted of single rooms one over the other, accessible by " turnpike " or winding stairs. The " corbie " or " crow-stepped " gable was used in prefer- ence to the straight-sided gable of England. In vaulted roofs a continuous barrel vault with surface ribs was occasionally employed. Scotland is specially rich in castles and mansions of the Gothic period, which possess distinctive character, and in which stone was almost universally employed. In these a picturesque use of circular towers, vast height of walls, treated in a simple, and almost bare, manner, and the planning of the buildings at different angles, are characteristic. On No. 151 is given a series of plans and sketches of different types of buildings showing the national character of Scottish Architecture. REFERENCE BOOKS. Billings (R. W.). — " Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland." 4 vols., 4to. 1848. MacGibbon (D.) and Ross (T.). — "The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland." 5 vols., 8vo. 1887. MacGibbon (D). and Ross (T.). — " Ecclesiastical Architecture of Scotland." 3 vols., 8vo. 1896. " Edinburgh Architectural Association, Sketch Book." 1878-1894. " Glasgow Architectural Association, Sketch Book." 3 vols. 1885. Pinches (F.). — " The Abbey Church of Melrose." Folio. 1879.