Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/373

 BALCOMIE CASTLE 357 FOURTH PERIOD escutcheons, those in the centre panel being the arms and supporters of the Learmonths of Balcomie, with a motto which seems to read " Solis Feintis," and the date 1660. The panel on the left hand contains the same arms, but, instead of supporters, a wreath round the shield, with the initials of John Learmonth, and on the scroll above the motto SANS FEINTISE. The remaining panel, which is similar to the last, con- tains the arms and initials of Elizabeth Myreton of Randerston, wife of John Learmonth, with the motto ADVYSEDLIE. On the frieze running along the top of the gateway is the inscription THE LORD BVLD - THE HOUSE - THEY LABOVR - IN VAINE - THAT - BVILD IT. The dial stone seen in the arch spandril is a frequent feature about this time in most of our old houses. On the east side of the entrance is the vaulted guard-room. Beyond this the old building is now so completely incorporated with the modern farm- steading that it is im- possible even to attempt to separate old work from new. The tower and the square building at the north-west angle are in a tolerable state of preserva- tion. The ground floor is vaulted, but all the wooden upper floors are gone. The roof has been renewed, and the tower turrets covered over with a roof at the same slope. The entrance from the courtyard to the first floor was by a stair, of which an indication is seen where the circle is drawn the plan. From this on FIG. 804. Balcomie Castle. View from the North-West. level the upper floors were served by a narrow wheel stair corbelled out in the re-entering angle. This portion of the castle probably dates from about the end of the sixteenth century. The gateway is in a somewhat later style, and, as we have already seen, is dated 1660. Mary of Guise landed at Balcomie and was entertained there in 1538 ; but it is likely that the