Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/165

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MACLELLAN'S HOUSE - 14*9 FOURTH PERIOD landing the wing (Fig. 607). From the landing a small newel staircase in the angle, partly corbelled out, led as usual to the upper floors. This staircase still exists. In the latter half of the sixteenth century the whole castle has been remodelled and greatly enlarged. The door of the old tower was then altered to the west, so as to front the courtyard ; the old staircase being removed and a new staircase erected in a round tower built to the south (Fig. 608). The hall was enlarged by throwing the west wing into it ; the central wall being removed and the upper portion carried on an inserted arch, which still exists. At the same time a long range of buildings was erected on the south side of the courtyard, and another range on the north side. Probably the west side was occupied with the principal entrance gateway. The small doorway in the north wall may have led to the gardens, etc. The south range contains a kitchen on the ground floor, and the remainder is so ruinous that the apartments are indistinguishable. There is an outer stair at the east end leading to an upper -floor over the kitchen, which probably contained the private dining-room and drawing-room, bedrooms, etc. The projecting tower at the south-west angle of the courtyard has shot-holes, each provided with three openings, similar to those at Tolquhaii and elsewhere. There was probably a similar tower at the north-west angle of the courtyard. The wing filling up the south-east angle seems to have been added at a later period in order to give additional accommodation. MACLELLAN'S HOUSE, KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE. This fine example of sixteenth-century architecture is situated in the town of Kirkcudbright, on the left bank of the river Dee. The house is roofless, but its walls are quite entire, and it could easily be made habitable. It is worthy of being better taken care of than it is at present. If roofed in so as to protect the walls from the weather, the building would last for a very long time, and there are many purposes in a town like Kirkcudbright, such as a local museum, to which it might be adapted. With the exception of the portion shown in Fig. 609, the whole building is a mass of ivy, giving it the appearance of a huge hay- stack, of a green instead of a yellow colour. Fortunately this little bit is still visible, otherwise a very vague idea could be formed of the character of the details of the architecture. The view from the south- east (Fig. 610) was made with considerable difficulty with the aid of the plans, and by sketching here and there any part which was visible, and climbing where necessary to get a sight of the details. The building may be described generally as of the L plan (Fig. 611), with a projecting tower or wing at the south-west corner, and a double projection at the re-entering angle. The latter is an unusual feature, and