Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/67

 TOWIE BARCLAY 51 FOURTH PERIOD TOWIE BARCLAY, ABERDEENSHIRE. This interesting house is in the southern part of the parish of Turriff, and not far from the Auchterless railway station. The family of Tollie de Berkley, to whom it belonged, is very ancient, and the following inscription on a stone built into the wall has given the impression that the castle is also of very old date, viz., " Sir Alexander Barclay of Tolly, foundator, deceisit anno domini 1136." On the same stone is carved the following in- scription : " In tim of Valth al men semis frindly and frindis not knauin but in adversity, 1593." There can be no doubt that the first part of the above inscrip- tion is a mere record of what had happened long before, and was in- serted at the date last quoted, "1593." In 1792 the turrets and embrasures were removed and two stories taken off the height of the keep, and the fosse filled up. The family suffered from espous- ing Queen Mary's cause. From 1558 to 1624 the estate was held by Patrick Barclay, who was the author of the moral reflection above quoted, the result of his unfortunate ex- perience. The plan of this castle is a slight modification of the plain quadrangular keep (Fig. 517), a small break being made in the wall adjoining the entrance door. This gives room for the passage to the staircase, and also admits of a loop- hole commanding the entrance. The ingoing of this loophole is defended internally with a stone pillar, so placed as to permit those inside to see out, and at the same time so designed as to intercept missiles from without. The basement is all vaulted, and the vault over the small entrance lobby is ornamented with ribbed and groined vaulting. The latter peculiarity seems to be local. A similar loop next the doorway, and FIG. 517. Towie Barclay. Plans.