Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/31

 COURTYARD-PLANS - 15 FOURTH PERIOD lithgow, and Stirling,, there are round towers and gateways of similar form to that of Tolquhan, which all date from the beginning of the sixteenth century, or at least fifty years earlier than the northern example. This is quite natural, and shows how this style, which was first developed in the south of Scotland, and under Royal encouragement, took a considerable time to expand over the whole country, and pene- trate as far as Aberdeenshire. The staircase turret in the courtyard of Tolquhan is perhaps what Mr. Billings refers to in calling attention to this castle as an example of the " turreted style." This turret with its corbelling is similar to Claypotts and other southern examples, which are considerably earlier in date. But there are no features at Tolquhan analogous to the angle turrets of the later examples, such as Castle Fraser, Glamis, etc. It is remarkable, in connection with Mr. Billings' supposed analogy between this building and French castles, that the Renaissance details which were introduced at the Royal palaces, and show the work of foreigners, are here entirely wanting. It has been above mentioned that many of the castles of this period, to which we shall have frequent occasion to allude, continued to be erected on the same tower-like plans as in earlier times, so much so indeed that many of the towers which were built in the time of James vi. are supposed by Billings and others to have been carried up on the old walls of earlier castles. Such are Craigievar and Castle Fraser, the elaborately ornamented upper stories of which present a strange contrast to the plain walls of the lower floors. There does not, however, appear to be any evidence of this having been the case. We have seen that while the plans of these castles are on the same general lines as the earlier ones, still there are certain peculiarities which show that they are wholly of later date, while others, such as Crathes, are dated, and there is really no reason to suppose that they are not all of the same period. At the same time that these tower-built mansions were so largely erected, good examples also exist of mansions built on the quadrangle or courtyard plan. As in the previous century, we still find these two types of plans employed simultaneously. An examination of some of the plans of these castles built round a courtyard will distinctly show the great difference between the castles of this type in the seventeenth and those of the previous centuries. Tolquhan, Aberdeenshire, is a well-preserved and interesting speci- men, having the outer court and the gatehouse, which are rather rare features, still entire. The latter has the triple shot-holes, not unusual at the time, and is ornamented with the billet and rope mouldings revived at this period. The grotesque carved figures are also rather common late features. The ground floor contains complete kitchen and offices. The first floor is reached by a wide staircase of the square form,