Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/406

 FOURTH PERIOD 390 MAINS OR FINTRY CASTLE The entrance gateway has a segmental arch and bold roll moulding (Fig. 835). It is surmounted with a boldly corbelled bartizan, the machicolations of which defended the entrance. This doorway was further strengthened with a stout oaken bar, the long hole for which still remains in the wall. The northern half of this wall shows some remains of the parapet with shot-holes alternating with embrasures, and finished at the north-west angle with a corbelled bartizan. In an account of this castle written by Mr. A. H. Miller of Dundee, it is stated that " the keystone of the western gateway bears the date 1562," and that "the initials D. G. could lately be traced on one of the stones above the west doorway/' thus confirming the idea that the castle was built by the family of Graham, who settled here about the middle of the sixteenth century. FIG. 834. Mains or Fintry Castle. Plan. The southern half of the enclosing wall on the west has been altered at a late date, and has windows pierced through it, some of which have the revived dog-tooth and other mouldings of the seventeenth century. The principal and the earliest buildings within the courtyard are those on the north side, comprising the lofty square tower which con- tained the entrance doorway and newel staircase, leading to the hall and other apartments 011 the upper floors. The ground floor of this range contained vaulted stables and stores. The hall probably occupied the large central division with a private room at the east end; but these buildings are now so ruinous that it is difficult to determine their uses. Above this was an upper floor, and possibly attics over it.