Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/444

 THIRD PERIOD 424 DOUNE CASTLE 6 inches, and 24 feet 6 inches high to the crown of the semicircular vault, which has apparently always formed the roof of the hall (Fig. 372). The hall is entered by an outside straight stair, the only internal com- munication between the basement and the hall being by an aperture in the vault (shown on the Plans) through which stores, etc., could be hoisted. FIG. 367. Doune Castle. Section through Courtyard, looking North. The outside stair has been enclosed with a wall, and was guarded by a grated gate at the bottom, the recess for which when open may be seen in the main wall. The hall has a large window over the gateway, from the recess of which, as above mentioned, the portcullis was worked. It has also a fine double fireplace (Fig. 368), with jambs and lintel orna- mented with shafts and mouldings. It must however be admitted that the details of these are not so good as one would expect at the above date, but the whole of the ornamental work of this castle, as of Scotch castles in general, although there are exceptions, is of an inferior character to the similar class of work in ecclesiastical edifices. There is a private room in the tower over the inner end of the entrance archway, with a window to the hall, from which a view could be obtained of all that went on there (Fig. 365). Another room in the great tower enters from the hall, and has an aperture in the floor for drawing up water from the well-room. From the hall a staircase leads to four private rooms in the various floors of the tower, to the upper floors over the hall, and to the roof, Another newel stair at the north-west angle of the hall also leads to the upper floors and roof. There is now a communication between this part of the castle and the banqueting-hall adjoining, but this is not likely to have been the case originally. There is no other opening between the keep and the buildings adjoining it. The second floor, immediately over the hall (Fig. 369), comprised the withdrawing-room, entering from which is an oratory in the south