. The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century. ing been abandoned as a place of residence, is inperfect preservation. It has, however, been subjected to various altera-tions in the interior, and very considerable and heterogeneous additionshave been built on all sides, in order to make it suitable for the eminentboarding school in comiection with which the name of Merchiston isfamiliar to modern ears. This explains the meaning of various doorsshown on the Plans on the north and south walls, these being passages tothe adjoining buildings (Fi
. The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland, from the twelfth to the eighteenth century. ing been abandoned as a place of residence, is inperfect preservation. It has, however, been subjected to various altera-tions in the interior, and very considerable and heterogeneous additionshave been built on all sides, in order to make it suitable for the eminentboarding school in comiection with which the name of Merchiston isfamiliar to modern ears. This explains the meaning of various doorsshown on the Plans on the north and south walls, these being passages tothe adjoining buildings (Fig. 194), The castle is still surrounded withgardens and pleasure-grounds, which, together with the quaint lion-guardedgateway (Fig. 195), still convey a fair idea of the aspect and surroundingsof a Scottish gentlemans residence in the sixteenth century. The building is of the L Plan, and measures about 43 feet along thesouth front by 28 feet 9 inches in width, and along the west face itmeasures 45 feet 9 inches. It contains six floors, and is about 71 feet THIRX) PERIOD — 264 MERCHISTON CASTLE. IGROUND 194.—Merchiston Castle. Flaiis and Elevation. MERCIIISTON CASTLE 265 THIRD PERIOD liigh to the chiinucy top. In its present condition it is not quite clearwhere the original entrance doorway was situated. The opening in tin;south wall, with steps leading to the wheel-stair, is modern, and all theother ground floor doorways have their jambs either concealed or altered,so that nothing definite can be ascertained on this point. The ground floor is divided into various small places or cellars, butoriginally it consisted of two apartments, which, singular to say, are notvaulted, and never have been, as is shown by the numerous finely-wroughtcoibels, which exist at short distances apart, for carrying the supports of
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