Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/19

 INTRODUCTORY r- 9 FOURTH PERIOD accession to the English throne in 1603, led to the introduction of many of the features of the Renaissance or Elizabethan style from that country. It had also an enlightening and civilising effect on Scot- land generally, by bringing it into contact with a richer and more polished people, and in this way many improvements were gradually imported from the south into the domestic arrangements and architec- ture of the country. As the combined result of all these circumstances,, Scottish Architec- ture now took a new departure. Changes in style seldom occur suddenly, and in the present instance the change was, as usual, gradual. It is in fact difficult to say exactly when it commenced. Traces of Renaissance ornamentation, and of the amelioration of accommodation, have been above pointed out as already existing during the previous period, but it was not till after the beginning of the seventeenth century that the new style was fully developed and generally adopted. The period now under consideration is in fact a transition period, in which the earlier Scotch style is gradually transformed into the fully developed Renaissance of the seventeenth century. During this period we find the same general characteristics in the design both of the plans and elevations as in the preceding one. The two previously existing types of plan, viz., the Keep or Tower and the Castle built round a courtyard, still continue to flourish together, although they are in some instances considerably modified so as to suit the require- ments of the time. But although the plans and general forms are almost the same, the external effect of these castles differs considerably from that of the previous epoch. Among the leading external features of the castles and mansions of this period are the picturesque turrets corbelled out at every angle, covered with slated roofs, and terminated with iron finials. The walls are generally very plain, and the ornamentation is confined to the parapet and upper portions, where it often bursts out with extraordinary profusion and richness, as for instance at Castle Fraser and Craigievar. The parapets are generally false, the roof resting on the top of them, and the wall-head is broken with ornamental dormers carried up from the face of the parapets. The roofs are high pitched, and have picturesque chimneys and crow-stepped gables. Corbelling, both plain and ornamental, is one of the chief characteristics of the style. It is used on every possible occasion. The turrets, staircases, parapets, etc., are all supported on corbels, and the towers are often changed from a circular basement to a square upper floor by means of large and elaborate corbels, as at Claypotts, Castle Stewart, and Amisfield. The combination of these features is often most successful, and the appearance of every building of this style is so marked and characteristic