Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/129

 GLAMIS CASTLE 1 1 3 FOURTH PERIOD In Billings' work it is stated that " the appearance of this building at once proclaims it to be the gradual accumulation of additions made at various times to the original old square tower with rounded edges, of which a fine unaltered specimen exists in the neighbouring castle of Drum." But from what has been already said on this subject in the descrip- tion of Craigievar, and from the modifications of the traditional plan above referred to,, as well as the dates contained in the panels, we feel satisfied that Crathes Castle is all of the period indicated by these dates. Although there may be a certain resemblance between the plain lower stories and rounded angles of Crathes and Drum, the latter is of an entirely different character as regards its plan. The walls are double the thickness, and the interior has but a single room on each floor, com- pared with which the plan and arrangements of Crathes are of a compli- cated and advanced character. This shows how essential it is, in judging of the age of these and similar Scotch towers, to take the plans and internal accommodation into account. Had Mr. Billings done so, he would probably not have fallen into the above mistake. GLAMIS CASTLE, FORFARSHIRE. The castle of Glamis probably enjoys a wider fame than almost any other Scottish building, associated as it is all over the world with the tragedy of " Macbeth." The building, as it now stands, is not unworthy of its great renown, although it is almost needless to observe that no part of the existing structure belongs to the time of the gracious Duncan, and probably none of it reaches further back than the fifteenth century. Still he shadowy Thane of Glamis is the predominating figure which rises before the mind's eye as one gazes on its quaint and antique towers. The castle has been often described and delineated. The poet Gray (who was a guest at Glamis in 1765) writes of it in rapturous terms in a letter to his friend, Dr. Wharton, describing it as " rising proudly out of what seems a great and thick wood of tall trees, with a cluster of hanging towers on the top ; " and further, " The house, from the height of it, the greatness of its mass, the many towers atop, and the spread of its wings, has really a very singular and striking appearance, like nothing I ever saw ; " adding, ee You will comprehend something of its shape from the plan of the second floor which I enclose." It would be very interesting if this plan could be recovered, as it is evident from his description that the building, as it now stands, is want- ing in some of the parts to which he refers. He says, "You descend to the castle gradually from the south through a double and triple avenue of Scotch firs 60 or 70 feet high, under three gateways. This approach is a full mile long, and when you have passed the second gate, VOL. II. H