Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/359

 EARL PATRICK S PALACE 343 FOURTH PERIOD cate that it was devoted to that purpose. Possibly it was only intended as a vaulted lobby, or waiting-room, at the head of the staircase. Enter- ing off the hall, at the side of the fireplace, another wheel stair leads to the apartments on the upper floor, over the southern half of the building. These chambers were no doubt occupied by guests and persons not FIG. 792. Earl Patrick's Palace. Entrance Doorway. members of the family, whose movements could be observed from the hall, through which they had to pass to and from their apartments. The two turrets at the west end of this range are so large as almost to be termed rooms, being about 11 feet 6 inches by 7 feet. It was contemplated a few years ago to fit up this palace as the Sheriff-court of Kirkwall, but on obtaining plans and a report from