caithness-1911/05_199

Transcription

[Page] 116 HISTORICAL MONUMENTS (SCOTLAND) COMMISSION.

PARISH OF THURSO.

while to the N. there is a small garden belonging to it. The house is
of the L plan, measuring about 70' long by 26' 6" wide, the wing on the
S. side measuring 15' x 35'. The thickness of the walls of the house is
3'. There is a slight projecting porch on the N. side, neatly moulded
and wrought, leading to a fine scale and platt stair serving the three
upper floors, the solid newel of which, so characteristic of the 17th
century, has an opening opposite the staircase window to light the
far off flight of steps. There is now no immediate communication
between the rooms on the ground floor and those above. All the
floors are arranged on a very similar plan, with five moderately sized
rooms on each (see fig. 26). The house has been carefully planned
and finished, all the interior doors in the thick walls having neatly
moulded architraves wrought in stone, and there are mouldings round

[Plan inserted]
FIG. 26. - Old House, Bank Street, Thurso (No. 425) ; Ground-plan.

the windows on the outside. On the first floor there was undoubtedly
a hall alongside the stair, now occupied by a closet and narrow
passage, which would give a dignity to the house it does not now
possess.
In the W. room on the N. side there is a largefireplace about
3' in height. The lintel (fig. 27) is of one stone, about 9' in length,
and 1' 9 1/4" in depth, with flat mouldings returned at the ends to form
the jambs. In the centre is a monogram formed of the letters D.M.C.
and surrounded by a wreath of foliage. To the left of the wreath is an
ornate shield bearing arms:- a shake fork couped, with a star in chief;
and to the right a similar shield bearing arms - three stars, and at
fess point a besant (now from mutilation resembling a crescent): in
dexter chief, another star for difference - the arms of Murray of
Clairden to whom the house formerly belonged. At the right end
are the figures 16 and at the left 79. Along the top runs the legend
SEMPER FOCUS BONUS EST.