Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/497

- 481 - FOURTH PERIOD opposite angles. This is a modification of the earlier form of plan which began to be introduced about this time, and afterwards became common, probably with a view to produce a symmetrical design. In other respects the plan follows the usual arrangements. The original entrance doorway is in the re-entering angle of the south-west tower. The prin- cipal staircase, which is square and very spacious, with steps 6 feet long, occupies this tower as far as the first floor. From that level two corbelled stair-turrets in the angles of the towers conduct from this floor to the rooms on the upper floors. The door in the centre of the building, with the dotted staircase in the passage, and the door at the west end of the passage, are not original. The towers and walls are well supplied with shot-holes, which have a deep external splay. The ground floor is vaulted, and contains the kitchen, wine-cellar, with private stair from the hall, and other cellars and stores. The first floor contains the great hall, 37 feet by 24 feet, and private room 24- feet by 16 feet, communicating with the bedroom in the south-east tower. On the second floor there is another large hall over that on the first floor, which was no doubt the withdrawing-room, with a bedroom adjoining, and each tower contains a bedroom with a separate door from the turret stair, all supplied with garde-robes. Above this there is another story in the main building, and two additional stories in the towers, which thus provide a large number of bedrooms. This is a building of late date, and we here find, as often happened at that period, that the old form of plan is departed from or varied. As above suggested, the two towers have probably been placed on the same side of the building in order to produce a certain symmetry in the design, an effect then beginning to be aimed at. The view from the south-west (Fig. 911), shows this attempt at symmetry, which in this as in many other of the early attempts was not altogether successful. It is evident, however, that for defensive purposes the old plan of placing the towers at the diagonally opposite angles was much superior. Fig. 912 gives a view of the castle from the north-east, showing the corbelling of the enormous square angle turrets, which here form a peculiar feature, and present a remarkable variety of that characteristic of Scottish archi- tecture. Had two of these been on one gable, they would have swamped it as completely as those of Glamis. Castle Stewart is one of the few ancient castles in Scotland which, although not occupied, are kept in good order and repair by the pro- prietors, and it is thus easy in this instance to follow the various arrange- ments of the plan, which in so many others, from the ruinous state of the upper floors, can only be guessed at. The open work crowning the VOL. II. 2 H