Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/155

 CAERLAVEROCK CASTLE 135 FIRST PERIOD curtain only exists to the height of two stories at the east end, and at its west end to the height of about 3 feet. The buildings on the east side are vaulted on the ground floor, and contain the kitchen and well-room adjoining, also used as a secondary kitchen, having an oveii. A service-room adjoining the banqueting-hall has its roof vaulted with a raking or sloping arch, so as to support the steps of the grand staircase. The latter is entirely ruined, but it has been on a scale of considerable magnificence. A small service-stair leads from the well-room to the private dining-room and other apartments above. The chapel is said to have been situated over the banqueting-hall, but nothing remains to indicate this. The round tower adjoining the banqueting-hall, and belonging to an early period of the castle, is quite ruinous. It had a wheel stair giving access to its upper floors, and to the rampart walk. We have mentioned this tower as belonging to the third period, more because it seems naturally to belong to the same period as the corresponding tower (Mur- doch's) at the opposite end than from any indications in itself. Murdoch's Tower, about 21 feet in external diameter, con- tains three floors above the ground floor. The latter enters directly from the courtyard level, the first floor by a door up a few feet, and the upper floors by a straight stair leading from the rampart walk. We have already referred to the tradition of an earlier castle of Caerlaverock, triangular in plan, situated some 300 yards southwards from the present building, which is supposed to have remained intact till 1357, when it was taken down and rebuilt in the same shape in its new position. There can be no doubt of the existence of this earlier castle, but the story other- wise is unsupported, and extremely improbable, considering that the present curtain walls, in part at least, are evidently not later than the thirteenth century. The position of Caerlaverock, either the old or new site, is a strong one, on the edge of what was a pathless morass. The earlier castle, which was an earthwork, was in all likelihood the "strength" of primitive settlers, and seems to have been abandoned for the more con- venient and equally strong situation of the existing ruins at the time PIG. 107.