Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/376

 THIRD PERIOD 356 STONEYPATH TOWER bank rising up from the wooded dell through which flows the Papana Burn, and as seen from the bed of the stream the tower forms a striking object. The main block measures over the walls 44 feet by 31 feet, the projection being 27 feet by 19 feet. It contains a central vault (section, Fig. 309), which supports the floor of the hall, 19 feet high. The space under this vault is as usual divided with an intermediate floor. The FIG. 309. Stoneypath Tower. Plans, Section, and View. tower was also vaulted at the roof, and between this vault and the hall floor it contained two full floors, and one floor in the vault. The entrance was at the south side, at the level of the upper floor, under the central vault, and about six or eight feet above the ground. From this floor access was gained to the circular staircase at the north side, which led down to the basement floor and up to the top. The total height to the top of the staircase is about 60 feet above the ground floor. The posi- tion of this staircase on the plan is peculiar. Frequently the staircase is a square structure projected in the re-entering angle, of which arrange- ment several examples have been given. But at Stoneypath the stair turret is as it were folded over, and placed inside the re-entering angle. In the small apartment at the north-west corner of the basement floor, in the thickness of the wall, was, we understand, the well, now heaped full of ruins ; but we are informed that it existed in the memory of persons now living. The room in the wing at the north-east corner is low and vaulted, and lighted by a narrow window, which goes up in the thickness of the wall to a considerable height above the ceiling, so that it resembles a chimney flue. This was probably used as a dungeon. The hall floor is very ruinous, but for such a small tower the hall has