Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/224

FOURTH PERIOD 208 TERPERSIE corbelled out in the angle of the south-west tower (Fig. 666) conducts to the upper floor, which is similarly arranged. Terpersie is situated in a quiet secluded glen not far from Alford. It belonged to a branch of the Gordons of Lesmoir, and was built, accord- ing to the label under one of the loops of the stair to the hall, in 1561. The castle was thus probably built by William Gordon, who is recorded to have taken part in the battles of Corrichie, in 1 563, and Tillyangus, in 1573. The label containing the date has the appearance of being fixed with screw-nails (Fig. 666), the whole however, including the nail-heads, being carved in the stone. The lowest corbel of the angle staircase contains the letter G, for Gordon, and the boar's head of the family arms is carved over the first-floor window. At a later date the wing to the east was added, so as to provide a separate kitchen and a better staircase close to the door. It would also, of course, give additional accommodation in the upper floors, which are now in sad dilapidation. The house was formerly surrounded by a moat, which, being on haugh ground close to the Esset Burn, would be easily filled with water. CLAYPOTTS. This singular-looking edifice is almost identical with Terpersie in the arrangement of the plan, but is much more elaborate and striking in its external aspect. It is possessed of considerable interest from being twice dated, and from remaining almost entire and unaltered. It is situated near the watering-place of Broughty-Ferry, about three miles east from Dundee, and consists of an oblong block measuring about 34 feet by 25 feet, with a circular tower at two of the diagonally oppo- site angles (Fig. 667). Over the towers it measures 65 feet. At the junction of each tower with the square building there is awheel staircase continued from top to bottom (Figs. 668 and 669), a very unusual arrange- ment. It frequently happens that one stair is designed in that manner, but in houses of this class two staircases so arranged are seldom found, one or other of the stair turrets being generally corbelled out at the first or second floor level. The larger stair is what may be termed the public stair, being close to the entrance door, while the one on the opposite side would be used as a private stair for the inmates of the house only. The continuation of the latter down to the cellar seems, in this in- stance, to be in lieu of. the separate private stair which is usually intro- duced, leading to the wine-cellar. The general plan of Claypotts and other similar buildings of this period shows a decided advance in domestic planning over the earlier forms of the keep, with the modifications we have hitherto considered. The small square rooms in the turrets are certainly not luxurious bed-