Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/102

 FIRST PERIOD 82 ROTHESAY CASTLE four round towers. This castle differs from the examples already given in having the wall of enceinte of a circular or oval form, instead of quadrilateral ; but the ditch, enclosing the wall with its towers, brings the whole approximately to the usual square form. The walls are from 8 to 10 feet in thickness, and the diameter of the courtyard is 142 feet. The wall of enceinte is well preserved, and is built with good ashlar-work. The forms of the loop-holes and their recesses are of an early type. The top of the walls would be finished with a parapet resting on pro- jecting corbels with machicolations between, or armed with a wooden hoarding it is impossible to say which, but probably the latter. Some corbels still remaining in the north-west part of the wall seem to indicate the position of these defences (Fig. 58). The upper part of the wall above them is of a different style of masonry, and was evidently heightened at a later period, and will be referred to further on. The entrance gateway seems to have been (as at present) at the north end, through a square tower projecting about 16 feet from the wall of the enceinte. There remain the grooves of two portcullises, and one jamb of the inner gateway, afterwards reduced in size. In the small guard- room added on the east side of this tower may still be seen two bold stone corbels, which look as if they had formed part of the defences of the original gate-tower, which is incorporated with the later buildings. Of the four round towers, only the one to the north-west remains in good preservation ; the three others are considerably demolished, but the lower part of each still exists, showing the usual batter at the base. They have each a door entering from the courtyard on the ground level. The chapel is the only building within the enceinte of which the walls remain, but the foundations of many other buildings can be traced. These give an idea of the irregular manner in which the buildings within the wall of the enceinte of these early castles were scattered about. The chapel is of early date, but has no architectural features of much interest. At the back or east end of the chapel is a staircase leading to the ramparts. The building which runs out to the north of the ancient entrance tower, and forms the existing entrance, is of later date. It is built with rubble-work, and resembles in almost all its features the quadrilateral keeps of the fourteenth century. It is most probable that it was built by Robert n. or in., so as to provide a residence similar to their other royal castles, such as Dundonald. In this case the ground floor is almost entirely occupied with a vaulted passage, 1 1 feet 6 inches wide, leading into the castle. The cellars, etc., usually occupying this position would be amply supplied by stores in the courtyard. The entrance door was no doubt defended by a drawbridge and iron gate, and has a small guard- room adjoining. On the west side of the passage is a small door leading to the ground between the wall and the moat. The square tower adjoin-