Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/116

 FIRST PERIOD BOTHWELL CASTLE thick, and the tower, which is circular externally, has been octagonal internally ; but only four sides of the octagon now remain, the present western enclosing wall being a late addition. FIG. 70. Bothwell Castle. Section through Courtyard on Hue A B onJPlan, and Elevation of Donjon. The story on the level of the courtyard (Fig. 72) had a wooden floor, carried by beams, which rested on a stone arch and a central pillar. The basement floor of the donjon (Fig. 71), which is below the level of the courtyard, is entered by a newel stair from above only. It evidently con- tained the stores of the keep. It also contains a draw-well of good design under the inner wall of the donjon (Fig. 73). The floor above this forms the hall of the donjon. It was 37 feet in diameter and 22 feet high to the apex of the vault, which had moulded ribs spring- ing from corbels in the angles of PIG. 71. -Bothwell Castle. Plan of Basement of Keep. the octagon, and resting Oil the central pillar. The large window overlooking the court is enriched with tracery, and the ingoing has had nook shafts with carved caps and bases, and good simple arch moulds. The principal entrance is on the level of the floor, but 3 feet above the level of the court, and the entrance