Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/427

BALLINBREICH CASTLE 411 FOURTH PERIOD south wall of the original keep, and in the upper floor, are the remains of sedilia (Fig. 853) divided into three pointed arches, which had shafts with caps at each angle, and probably ornamental brackets under the centre imposts. The sedilia have quite an ecclesiastical appearance, which may be accounted for from the proximity of Lindores Abbey, about two miles farther up the river, and Balmerino, a few miles farther down. FIG. 852. Ballinbreich Castie. Plan. The courtyard seems to have been divided into an outer and inner bailey by a wall running from east to west, on the line of the present northern staircase. The courtyard is on the level of the surrounding ground up to this wall, and from thence to the outer wall and on to the river, a distance of about twenty yards, the ground slopes rapidly. The castle had considerable protection on its east and west sides respectively, from deep ravines running down to the river, while on the south side it was perfectly open, unless it was protected by a ditch, all traces of which (if it ever existed) have disappeared.