Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/452

FOURTH PERIOD 436 DRUM CASTLE DRUM CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE. The keep of this castle has already been described along with the other castles of the fourteenth century. We have now to deal with a large extension of the buildings made in the beginning of the seven- teenth century. This is shown on the plans (Figs. 117, 118, and 119, vol. i.). The new buildings start at the south-west angle of the keep, and extend along the east and south sides of the courtyard. This may at first have been enclosed on the north and west with a wall, against which outbuildings were subsequently erected. The latter are shown by hatched lines, while further enlargements made by the present pro- prietor from plans by the late David Bryce, R.S.A., are shown in outline only. The Irvine who held the property at the beginning of the seven- teenth century was distinguished as a patron of learning, and as the donor of several bursaries in Marischal College, Aberdeen. He it must have been who built the above additions to the castle, as they bear in several places the date l6l9 These erections form an entirely new mansion-house surrounding a quadrangle. The principal frontage, containing all the important rooms, is to the south. The principal entrance to the courtyard was from the north by an archway, and there was also a small doorway in the west wall, which still exists. The internal arrangements of the mansion are of quite a modern description, although founded on the old dispositions. Close to the principal entrance door (guarded with an iron yett, which is still pre- served) was the main staircase, which is of the large and straight pattern introduced about this period, the steps being about 6 feet in width. This leads to the principal rooms on the first floor. Opposite the entrance door is a door communicating with the usual long passage on the basement floor, giving access to the vaulted cellars, kitchen, and offices. In this instance, as at Muchalls, the vaults are groined so as to give more head-room, an innovation of this period of which we see a fuller development in the halls at Balbegno and Towie Barclay. There were also kitchen or back doors at the east end of the passage, one leading to the outside and the other into the courtyard. Besides the main stair three other staircases lead from the basement to the upper floors. The one at the east end of the kitchen passage is continued to both the upper floors ; so likewise is that at the south-west tower, which also forms the usual connection from the hall to the wine-cellar. The