Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/311

 CASTLES WITH COURTYARDS 2Q5 FOURTH PERIOD tions of the castles and mansions built on the " courtyard or quad- rangle plan " during our Fourth Period. In the earlier part of this period the Scottish style was in universal use. Some indications of the Renaissance feeling gradually began to appear during the period, and towards its close the native style had been completely driven from the field by the foreign invader. In the following descriptions of our castles with courtyards, we shall commence with the more purely Scotch designs, then follow with those of a mixed type, and conclude with some examples in which the Renaissance style prevails. As time advanced and manners softened, the defensive elements in our castles and mansions gradually disappeared. It thus happened, as above pointed out, that the Z plan fell into disuse, while the L plan and the tf courtyard plan " were retained, and modified so as to suit the requirements of the times. TOLQUHAN CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE. This castle stands on rising ground about one mile from the village of Udny, in central Aberdeenshire, and about equidistant from the rail- way stations of Udny and Old Meldrum. This building differs in plan from most of the castles of Aberdeen- shire, being designed on the plan of buildings surrounding a central courtyard, and not, as usual, on one or other of the modifications of the keep plan. It is unfortunately fast becoming ruinous. The roofs, which existed a few years ago, have fallen in, and the buildings have now no protection from the weather, and will soon all moulder away, as the eastern wing has already done, unless some steps be taken to defend them from the weather. The castle bears in a panel on its outer wall, to the west of the entrance gateway, the following inscription : " Al this worke excep the Auld Tour was begun be William Forbes 15 April 1584 and endit be him 20 October 1589," a statement well supported by the character of the work. The estate passed by marriage to the Forbeses in 1420, and the " Auld Tour " was no doubt built by them subsequently to that date. This old tower is at the south-east angle of the castle (Fig. 751). It is a small, plain tower without any special features, and now very much ruined. In connection with the new castle this old tower was probably converted into a part of the bakehouse, as it still contains two ovens. In general plan this castle corresponds with the mansions common at the time in the south of Scotland. The latter were frequently con- verted into castles with courtyards by the extension of buildings attached to an original keep. The same occurs here, but in this case the original