The Castle — Its Architectural Features. 19 



of buildings, and from it a flight of steps led down to 

 the gardens at the lower level. Here the bed of the fish- 

 pond can still be seen in the shape of the letter " P," 

 no doubt intended for " Preston." The steps are now 

 quite ruinous, and the dies serve for gate pillars at the 

 entrance to the neighbouring farm-house. The present 

 proprietor, Captain Gordon Gilmour, who takes a great 

 interest in the ruin, intends having these restored to 

 their original position. . When the additions referred to 

 were made to the castle, the old south curtain wall was 

 not taken down, and as it now stands is most interest- 

 ing, exhibiting a complete arrangement for the erection 

 of a breteche or hoarding for defence. A row of corbels 

 runs along the curtain, and above them the holes for 

 the projecting putlogs for supporting the hoarding, and 

 a wooden gallery which enabled the defenders to see 

 the foot of the wall, and to throw stones or other 

 missiles upon assailants. A row of upper corbels, care- 

 fully checked on top for the beam supporting the roof 

 of the hoarding, is still in position, while the door 

 leading out to it from the level of the upper floor also 

 exists, now built up and forming a press inside. An 



