Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/588

 THIRD PERIOD 568 DUNNOTTAR CASTLE ground level. A straight stair leads, in the thickness of the wall, to the first floor, and a newel stair in continuation gives access to the upper floors and the roof. The stone gutter or parapet walk still exists, as well as the projecting corbels which carried the parapet, with open machicolations between. tnSedroo-in.^ "txJK&.lrutf <& Wsirt FIG. 484. Dunnottar Castle. Details. The kitchen was originally in the wing on the first floor. The large fireplace still exists, with an oven on one side, and a small stone sink and drain on the other. But as domestic requirements increased, this room was converted into a private apartment, and the fireplace reduced in size, while the kitchen was transferred to the large vaulted storeroom on the ground flat. This is apparent from the great fireplace there having evidently been an insertion. But gradually still further accom- modation was found necessary, and the buildings to the east of the keep were erected. These may probably have been storerooms, in lieu of those displaced by the new kitchen. There are lofts above for the servants, the stair and door to which still remain. At a later date the much more extensive range, containing stables, with accommodation for ten or twelve horses, was built further to the east. There are drains through the walls, on the floor level, in these buildings, showing that they were used as stables. The two rooms at the east end of this range are provided with fireplaces and small closets. In these the head retainers probably lived, while the existing outside stairs to the lofts show that they were occupied, doubtless by the servants. A detached building at the west end of this range, now much ruined, was apparently the kitchen connected with the stables. The large fire-