Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/158

FOURTH PERIOD 142 MAR CASTLE The appearance of the castle (Fig. 598) quite corresponds with this description. The burning seems to have destroyed the roof, but to have left the greater part of the walls uninjured. The upper part shows clearly that it has been restored in modern times,, the tall angle turrets crowned with battlements being unknown features in Scotch Architecture. At the same time the interior has been remodelled to suit a garrison,, the hall (in the main building) and the rooms above it (see Plan of Upper Floor, Fig, 597) having been appropriated to the soldiers as barracks, while the wing seems to have been used as officers' quarters. The wall which surrounds and encloses the castle is loopholed for musketry, and is built in the form of a star, so that every portion of the wall is defended and enfiladed by another portion. This design clearly belongs to the eighteenth century, and was no doubt built after the '45, when the castle was restored so as to contain a garrison which might keep the Highlanders quiet. We shall meet with other examples of this and similar arrangements having a like object. FIDDES CASTLE, KINCARDINESHIRE. This castle, situated within a few miles of Dunnottar, was built by one of the Arbuthnots of that Ilk, a very ancient and powerful family in the Mearns. Sir Robert Arbuthiiot, who lived in the time of James in. and James iv., and was greatly in favour with these kings, recovered the lands of Fiddes, which had been alienated from the family for two hundred years. There is a charter of Queen Mary of 1553 of the lands of Fiddes, etc., in favour of Andrew Arbuthiiot,, and the second son of Viscount Arbuthiiot is designated Andrew Arbuthnot of Fiddes in the reign of Charles i. 1 The castle was probably built about the end of the sixteenth century. Its plan is somewhat unusual and remarkable, and exemplifies the tendency to introduce modifications of the old forms which prevailed at that time. The general arrangement is that of the L plan (Fig. 599), but instead of the staircase being kept within the re-entering angle it is projected in a large circular tower beyond the corner of the main building. Another circular tower occupies the corresponding angle on the opposite side of the main 1 Jervise's Forfarshire. FIG. 599. Fiddes Castle. Plans.