Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/351

 DUNDAS CASTLE 331 THIRD PERIOD tinued down to the ground, and probably in this way an access was obtained. The kitchen is on the first floor of the new wing, and contains the usual stone sink. The fireplace has been entirely removed. The roof is at present a flat platform covered with cement ; in its original state it was in all likelihood constructed of stone flags resting on the vault, somewhat like the roof of Craigniillar, with an inclination just steep enough to let the water run off. It will be observed from the section that the parapets rise above the crown of the arches of the roof, so that there was no necessity for steep roofs, as in the case of Borthwick and others, where the parapets are placed at the springing of the arches. The machicolations between the corbels have been all filled up during the recent repairs. There is a small low penthouse near the centre of the roof, probably used as a guard-room (Plan of Roof, Fig. 280). FIG. 283. Dundas Castle. View from the North-East. The family of Dundas of that Ilk were in possession of this barony since about the beginning of the twelfth century down to a few years ago. The present castle was probably erected during the first half of the fifteenth century, when, about 1416, a fortalice seems to have been erected under a warrant from Robert, Duke of Albany. The additional wing being so exactly in the same style, as to height and all other features, we may conclude that it was built not long afterwards, and that the sub- sequent warrant which was granted by James i. in 1424 refers to it. We have in Dundas Castle a good example of the |_ plan, and also a good illustration of the efforts which were made in the fifteenth