Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 1.djvu/210

SECOND PERIOD 190 CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE This keep probably belongs to the latter part of the fourteenth century. The property of Craigmillar was purchased from Sir John de Capella by Sir Simon Preston in 1374, and the doorway of the keep is surmounted with the arms of the latter. This castle was often occupied by Royalty in the time of the Stuarts, and was a favourite residence of Queen Mary. In 1543 it was taken by Hertford and much demolished and a great deal of it burned. In the seventeenth century it passed into the hands of the Gilmours, and is still the property of their successor, J. Little Gilmour, Esq., under whose care the fabric is kept in excellent repair. Craigmillar was undoubtedly an important castle of the period, as we may see from the extent and strength of the enclosing walls of the inner courtyard, which were probably erected soon after the keep, and bear the date 1427. These walls (Fig. 153) enclose a space 130 feet by 90 feet, and are strengthened with round towers at the angles, while the keep is, as usual, situated on the enceinte, and on the most commanding position on the site, having a perpendicular rock 20 feet to 30 feet high on the south under the outer wall (Fig. 156). The general disposition of the plan thus reverts, although on a reduced scale, to the traditional arrangements of the great thirteenth-century castles. n ,.- -f F F- FIG. 154. Craigmillar Castle. Section through Keep from South to North on line A B. The plan of the keep is one of the usual forms above alluded to, having a projection at one side to supply private rooms, in addition to the hall. This form has the advantage of enabling the door situated in the re-entering angle to be well defended by flanking fire from loop- holes. The general plan of the keep corresponds with the usual descrip- tion of similar buildings given above. The walls are 9 feet thick, with no openings on the ground floor except the door. The doorways shown on the plan in the east and west walls are late additions. The whole height is divided into two compartments with full centred vaults, further subdivided (Figs. 154, 155, and 156) with intermediate wooden