Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/90

FOURTH PERIOD 74 GYLEM CASTLE and inwards on a squinch arch. The moulding at the eaves of the turret is carved, with the alternating pattern of imitation corbelling so fre- quently found in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,, and of which an example is given under Drochil Castle. A beautiful little window in the top story (Fig. 539) is projected on three bold corbels over the door- way. The spaces between the corbels are at present open, and no doubt they were so arranged for defence. The flooring could be easily made to lift, and open machicolations would thus be obtained by which to drop stones or boiling water on the heads of assailants. As favouring this idea, it may be observed that the window-sill is high, for the purpose of protecting those inside. There is an inscription on this window, but unfortunately it is so moss-covered as to be illegible ; and the same remark applies to the carving on the ingoing and arms over the adjoin- ing window. There are carved heads at the extremities of the lintel resembling the strange bridled heads so common in Norman work. Beneath the inscription there is a mask of a lady with the head-dress of the sixteenth century, and beneath this, and over the corbels, the cable moulding. Alongside the window is a grotesque figure with folded arms. The staircase tower is carried higher than the main building, and is finished with gables, and may have been crowned with a watch-turret, similar to that at Elshieshields. Gylem probably dates from the end of the sixteenth century. It was besieged in 1647 by General Leslie, and, in the tumult of the siege, the " Brooch of Lorn," which was kept here, was stolen. It was restored in this century to its hereditary owner. BRACKIE CASTLE, FORFARSHIRE. This is a very interesting specimen of a manor-house of the close of the sixteenth century, both from the completeness of its arrangements, and from its good state of preservation. It stands in a level field about four miles west from Inverkeilor railway station. In a panel over the entrance door (Fig. 540) there is a shield surmounted with the letters T F, and bearing the date 1581. The building appears to have been erected by a proprietor of the name of Eraser. The arms on the shield are those of Eraser (azure, three cinquefoils argent), impaled with those of Pierrepont and Murray, with the motto, " Soli deo confido." The house is on the common |_ plan (Fig. 541), the wing being occupied, as high as the first floor, by the principal staircase, which is very handsome for the size of the house, the steps being fully 5 feet in length. Under the stair is the usual small guard-room with shot-holes, and the remainder of the ground floor is divided into two vaulted cellars