Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/229

 NOTLAND CASTLE 213 FOURTH PERIOD Claypotts is well preserved, having been inhabited by farm labourers up till a recent period, but it is now used as a lumber store in connection with a farm-steading, and is not in good order. Very little outlay is required to make it again a place of habitation, and this would be the best means of preserving it from destruction. As already stated, there are two dates carved on the skew stones of the gables. The southern tower, as will be seen by the enlarged sketch (Fig. 671), bears the date of 1569, while on the northern tower is the date 1588 (the 5 being curiously turned upside down). Nine years before the first date, or in 1 560, the lands of Claypotts became the property of Gilbert Strathauchtyne or Strachan. This Gilbert and his son, John, began and finished the house at the above-mentioned respec- tive dates. The initials J. S., with the Strachan arms, are cut on the skew stone of the north-west gable, opposite the one containing the date of 1588 (Fig. 671). NOTLAND CASTLE, ORKNEY. Notland Castle is situated near the northern end of the island of Westray, about half a mile inland from Pierowall Bay. The position of the castle is well chosen for defence. The bay on the east side of the island, which is almost land - locked, is the only safe landing - place. From its southern extremity a range of hills sweeps round behind Notland, forming a precipitous coast-line to the north and north-west, so that from these quarters it was tolerably well protected. To the south, at the base of the hills, and about half a mile distant from the castle, is Burness Loch, a small fresh- water lake, which had an out- let (now diverted and dried up) passing about 150 yards in front of the castle, through FlG * 672.-Notland Castle. Plans. a marshy track, and emptying into the sea on the north, thus effectu- ally protecting the castle from assault on the Pierowall side, except of course by the causeway or bridge which crossed this marsh.