Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/159

 FIDDES CASTLE 143 FOURTH PERIOD building, and a third is corbelled out from the first floor, on the north side. On the ground floor, which is vaulted, there is the usual arrange- ment of the kitchen and cellar, the latter with a private stair from the hall. This floor is defended with numerous shot-holes, arranged in the turrets so as to command every side. The main staircase is 4 feet wide, and leads to the first floor only. On this floor are the hall (26 feet by 16 feet), and a private room with a small chamber off it over the entrance. FIG. 600. Fiddes Castle. View from the South-East. From the hall a stair in the south-west tower leads to the second flat. The turret in the centre of the north wall also contains a stair leading to the upper floors. From the second floor a small stair is corbelled out next the south-east turret, which leads to the attic, and also gave access to a balcony or bartizan over part of the south-east tower (Fig. 600). This balcony (now roofed in) is a most exceptional feature. It was elaborately