Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/236

 SECOND PERIOD 216 CRICHTON CASTLE which it was no doubt connected by the small ante-room shown on the plan (Fig. 181), these rooms would probably be used as a suite of apartments. The next range of buildings contains the kitchens and offices. These have however been somewhat altered when the later additions were made on the north side of the quadrangle. Fiu. 183. Crichton Castle. Section through Courtyard, looking West, The ground floor contains, besides the usual cellars, a passage to a postern, close to which a stair leads to the kitchen on the first floor (Fig. 179). The kitchen fireplace is very large, taking in the full breadth of the room, or 21 feet, and being fully 10 feet deep. This wide opening is arched in two spans, with a pillar in the centre. There is a shoot at one side, by which ashes, etc., might be discharged. Adjoining the kitchen on the north are two good pantries, and on the south side there is a large back-kitchen or scullery, with sink and drain. The square block at the south end of this range has a very massive appearance, and has hitherto been erroneously described as the original keep of the castle. It formed a defensive tower at the south-west angle of the castle, but is clearly of the same date as the adjoining buildings. This tower was divided with several wooden floors in its height, and was probably used as bedrooms. It is the only part of the castle where there are no vaulted floors. On the second floor above this kitchen there occurs another kitchen