Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/124

FOURTH PERIOD 108 -- CRAIGIEVAR CASTLE The style of the corbelling,, the classic balusters forming the parapets, and the O.G. shape of the turret roofs, are clear indications of the late date of the building. The eaves of the roof are here not only raised to the top of the parapet, as is. usual at this date, but are actually carried up in some places two stories above the corbel course on which the parapet would have rested in earlier castles, and imitation gargoyles in the form of small cannons are placed as ornaments at this corbel course, where they are obviously useless, from there being two stories above them. The great development of the angle turrets is also a very marked feature of this design. They are two stories in height, and of great size, showing a strong tendency to swallow up the gables, that in the south- west view being reduced to little more than a chimney-stack. The top story of the north front exhibits a peculiar instance of compromise between the turret and the gable termination. The small gables are almost entirely absorbed by the turrets, but manage to preserve a quasi-gabled form on the top, where the turrets are finished with a carved course of crow-steps. From every point of view this is one of the most interesting and characteristic examples of the period. CRATHES CASTLE, KINCARDINESHIRE. This very picturesque building was erected by the Burnetts of Leys, the proprietors of the estate since the days of Robert the Bruce, and is still occupied by Sir Robert Burnett, the eleventh Baronet, and the present re- presentative of the family. It is situated about two miles from the Crathes railway station, on a rising ground on the north side' of the Dee, and is surrounded with fine woods. As Craigievar presents one modi- fication of the old L plan, so Crathes shows another (Fig. 573). Instead of having the staircase compressed in the old manner into a small tower in the re-entering corner, the building in the angle is brought out on the south side flush with the main house, the re- entering angle being thus almost filled up with the staircase and entrance passages (very much in the same way as at Balbegno). The basement is vaulted, and contains the usual kitchen and cellars, one of the latter PLAK OF GROUND FLOOR HE PROBABLE DHtSHIALARHAMBEKEIV FIG. 573. Crathes Castle. Plan.