Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/362

 THIRD PERIOD 342 BALVAIRD CASTLE FIG. 293. Balvaird Castle. Plan of Hoof. this castle peculiarly interesting. Fig. 293 shows the complete arrange- ments of the parapets and parapet walks for defence, and a small sketch in Fig. 289 shows the ornamental finials with which the gables were terminated. There is a story above the hall with a timber floor, the beams of which still remain, supported on stone corbels, and hanging from the beams are the remains of the bracketing of the pend- ent plaster ceiling, while portions of the ornamental plaster-work still remain on the walls, or strew the floor. Of some scattered parts of these sketches are given (Fig. 289), showing by their style that they belong to the date of the later additions to the castle. In the wing there are four stories above the kitchen ; only the joists of the second story now remain, their under sides being beautifully carved with rosettes in a hollow (Fig. 289). In 156? considerable additions were made to this castle. Another court was formed containing stables and other offices, some of which still remain. Opposite the gate of the outer court is the arched gateway to the inner court or quadrangle, with the date of the work (1567) carved in a panel above the arch (sketch, Fig. 289). There is a vaulted guard-room on one side, and a series of apartments on the other. Over the entrance passage is a large room, with access from the keep, said to have been the chapel. There were also buildings on the west side of the quadrangle, but these sixteenth-century erections are all greatly ruined, and their use can scarcely be recognised. These additions would no doubt convert this keep into a castle surrounding a courtyard ; but as the keep is so well preserved, and is such a good specimen of its kind, we have thought it better to disregard the subsequent additions, and class it along with the keeps with wings. An enclosure to the south has evidently been a pleasure garden, and there is a large walled garden or orchard adjoining the castle on the east, all pointing to the more peaceful and settled condition of the country, and the amelioration of manners in the early days of Queen Mary's reign. Over the plain, full-centred arch of the entrance doorway to the keep are the remains of several armorial bearings (Fig. 294). The arms are supposed to be those of Margaret Barclay and her husband, Sir Andrew Murray, and if this be the case, the building must be as old as