Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/85

 INTRODUCTORY 65 FIRST PERIOD workmanship to the more splendid military buildings of the south. These have all the characteristics of the French castles of the thirteenth century. They are enclosed with high curtains, defended at intervals with round and square towers, each forming a separate post, and each so placed as to flank and defend the adjoining walls and towers, while one of the towers is of larger size than the others, and forms the donjon or place of strength for the shelter of the lord and his retainers in case of siege. It is not easy to determine the date of most of these early Scottish castles ; but we have distinct information with regard to the building of others. Thus Tarbert was added to by King Robert Bruce, and must therefore have existed before his time, while Lochindorb, Bothwell, and Kildrummie were probably enlarged during the English occupation. There can be no doubt, however, but that several of the castles of this first period are of older date than the War of Independence, as they are referred to as existing in Wallace's time. CASTLE ROY, INVERNESS-SHIRE. One of the simplest of these thirteenth-century fortresses is Castle Roy (or Redcastle) (Fig. 44), situated in the Abernethy district of Inver- ness-shire. It is said to have been a stronghold of the Comyns, but nothing authentic is known of its history. Situated about one mile north-east from Broomhill Sta- tion of the Highland Railway, it stands on a rising ground, somewhat elevated above the general valley of the Spey. It consists of the usual high en- closing wall, which in this case crowns a rocky site, raised from 10 to 15 feet above the level of the surrounding fields. The nature of the site has probably rendered a ditch unnecessary, FIG. 44. Castle Roy. Plan. as there is no appearance ot there ever having been one. The walls are 7 feet thick, built with strong rubble-work, and are still from 20 to 25 feet high. The enclosed space measures 80 feet from north to south, by 53 feet from east to west within the walls. The entrance is by a doorway, 8 feet wide, in the north wall, the inner pointed arch of which still remains (Fig. 45). There is a square tower at the north-west angle, and the remains of a large window- near it, which has also a pointed arch in the reveal (Fig. 45) ; but it seems doubtful whether these are not later additions. The north-east angle of the enclosure (Fig. 46) is complete, without any appearance of a