Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/81

 THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND. FIRST PERIOD 1200-1300. THE history of our Scottish Castellated and Domestic Architecture is, in its main features, somewhat similar to that of France and England, although to a considerable extent modified by the more unsettled and less prosperous condition of the country. This, however, had the effect of introducing and developing some varieties of style, which give a distinctly native and picturesque character to the later periods of our Domestic Architecture. Examples of the Early Castellated Architecture of Scotland are, unfor- tunately, by no means so complete or so abundant as those of France and England. There can be no doubt that the earliest fortifications in Scotland were constructed with earthen mounds and wooden palisades, like those of France and England. Of these primitive fortresses numerous remains are to be found in every part of the country. They are usually situated on the tops of the rounded knolls or hills which abound almost every- where over the land, those sites being selected which are composed of comparatively soft materials, easily dug into for the purpose of forming the ditches and ramparts. Of these ditches and mounds there are usually several rings, extending round the sides of the hill. We shall meet with several instances, as we proceed, in which these early works have been made available in connection with later castles. Artificial " mottes " also exist in various places, but these are supposed to have been for the administration of justice rather than for defence. Another class of fortification, very common in the north, and peculiar to Scotland, is the Broch or Burgh. This consists of a round wall enclos- ing an open court. The wall is always of great thickness, and is built with dry rubble stones, without mortar or cement of any kind. A straight staircase and several small apartments are formed in the thickness of the wall. The entrance door is low and narrow, and was evidently so built for defence. From the door a narrow passage leads through the wall, frequently with a guard-room on one side. The origin and date of the