Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/347

INVERALLOCHY CASTLE 331 FOURTH PERIOD It is said that the plan was borrowed from Holyrood, but it rather resembles that of the later courtyard at Dunnottar. The most remarkable feature about it is the existence of a building so large and so fully developed in its dispositions in this remote corner of the kingdom. INVERALLOCHY CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE, A massive but ruinous building near the coast, about four miles south- east of Fraserburgh. It occupies three sides of a courtyard, with a high enclosing wall along the fourth or south side. The sides are all of unequal length, giving it a wedge shape on plan. This did not arise, as in many other instances, from any peculiarity of the site, as it is built on level ground. At the time of its erection the surrounding fields were pro- bably of a marshy nature, subject to flooding, hence the ground floor and courtyard were raised 4 or 5 feet above the level of the land around. The entrance (see Plan, Fig. 782) was in the centre of the north front, through an arched doorway and passage 13 feet long by 5 feet 2 inches wide. Probably the space on the left hand, tinted black, contained a chamber leading off this passage, and there may have been a similar communication to the room on the opposite side, but the whole place is so encumbered with fallen masonry that the kitchen is the only place on the ground floor which can be satisfactorily explored. It is situated in the north-east corner of the main building, and is about 21 feet long by 15 feet 6 inches wide, with an arched roof. Its only peculiarity is the closet, with its shoot to the outside, and a cross bar for supporting a seat fitted into slot-holes ; while serving its legitimate pur- pose it also narrowed the opening against intruders. A circular staircase entering from the courtyard gave access to the floor above, where the hall is situated over the kitchen. The hall has three windows, a fire- place, and a mural closet. Leading off the hall were rooms, probably two in number, facing the east. The buildings on this side did not extend any higher. Two small rooms on this floor over the entrance gateway faced the north. At the head of the staircase a passage iri the thickness of the wall led to another circular staircase in the north wall, which gave access to the two upper floors and attics. A range of offices extended the whole length of the west front ; they were arched on the ground floor, and are quite ruinous above. There is a square-built well in the courtyard. This castle is probably of one period, and, as will be seen from the drawings, it is well arranged both for convenience and defence. In the local accounts of the castle a stone is said to have been taken from over one of the doorways with the inscription 1 ' I, Jurdun Comyn, indwaller here, Gat this hous and lands for biggin the Abey o' Deer. "