i6 



Craigmillar and its Environs. 



machicolations, through which stones could be thrown 

 on an enemy approaching the base of the walls. The 

 corbels of the corner towers are slightly higher than 

 those of the walls, and somewhat different in con- 



owm<? 



to their smaller projection. The 

 upright parts of the battlements 

 are splayed away over the openings, 

 so as to increase the range of the 

 defenders' missiles. 



Prior to 1884 there was a large 

 mass of earth on the roof of the 

 north-east tower. This was doubt- 

 less placed there for the purpose of 

 minimising the destructive effect of 

 stones thrown from mangonels or 



^ catapults. Below six feet of this 

 earth a large stone, with the Preston 



South-east Tower. Arms and supporters, carefully laid 

 face downwards, was discovered, and was built into the 

 wall above the doorway to the main staircase. In the 

 centre of the south-east tower is a raised platform, reach- 

 ed by steps, from which shots could be fired over the 



