Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/253

 FORDELL CASTLE 23? FOURTH PERIOD guard-house raised in a singularly bold style, and surmounted by a small circular watch-tower attached to it (I.), as if by the force of strong cement, and in a manner which tempts one to conceive that by construct- ing it thus, the architect was willing only to exhibit the extent of bizarre contrivance of which his art was capable. There is throughout the whole a system of seemingly sportive angling and counter angling which at the same time that it is highly favourable to the picturesque effect, takes the most ingenious advantage of the strong points for support, while to the eye the work appears suspended by magnetical, if not by magical influence. Although to convey any distinct notion of these intricacies, they must be seen and minutely examined, the adjoining sketch may suffice to give some idea of this flying watch-tower (Figs. 688 and 689). "The square suspended turrets are also of an unusual shape, and remarkably picturesque (Fig. 690). The large circular towers seem to be about 60 feet in height ; but the whole building is built on a small scale, as the hall is only 25 feet by 18 feet, and throughout the interior there is an intricate maze of small apartments, passages, and holes in the wall." " There is now no date on the building, as all the coats of arms had been removed, but apparently it belongs to the close of the fifteenth century. It belonged to one of the branches of Clan Gordon, although not the family of that name at present in possession." The author then refers to Claypotts Castle as being somewhat similar in design and of about the same date as Cluriy. But we have pointed out in our account of Claypotts that it bears the dates 1569 and 1588, which undoubtedly mark the period of its erection, and we have no hesitation in assigning Cluny to the same date. FORDELL CASTLE, FIFESHIRE. Fordell Castle is situated on high ground a few miles east from Dunfermline, and on the edge of a rocky ravine through which flows the Keithing Burn. The castle stands in the private grounds of Fordell House, and is surrounded by gardens which are probably unsurpassed in Scotland, and being so surrounded it is needless to say that the building is well cared for. It is quite entire, and has had some slight interior restorations so as to render it fit for use as a kind of garden summer- house. The building is designed 011 the Z plan, but it has some peculiarities. Thus, the main building is a simple oblong (Fig. 691), with square towers at two of its opposite angles, each containing a wheel stair. The oblong measures about 53 feet by 23 feet, and the towers about 13 feet square. There are two entrances, one in each tower.