Direct descendants of the old Norman keep, these Scottish castles, for
the most part, retain the four-sided tower, as to the main portion of
the structure. The walls need no buttresses, for they are of immense
thickness, and the vaulted masonry, usually of the simple barrel form,
that carries the floors of, at any rate, the lower stories, ties the
whole structure together. The angle turrets carried on bold corbels that
are so conspicuous a feature of these northern castles, broke away from
the Norman forms and became a distinct character of the Scottish work.
They were a helpful addition to the means of defence, and, as long as
they were built for use, added much to the beauty and dignity of the
structure. The only detail that shows a tendency to debasement in
Crathes is the quantity of useless cannon-shaped gargoyles, put for
ornament only, in places where they could not possibly do their
legitimate work of carrying off rain-water from the roof.
There could have been no pleasure garden in the old days; but now these
ancient strongholds, mellowed by the centuries, seem grateful for the
added beauty of good gardening. The grand yew hedges may be of the
seventeenth century. They stand up solid and massive for ten feet or
more, with roof-shaped tops, and then rise again at intervals into great
blocks, bearing ornaments like circular steps crowned with a ball. The
ornament is simpler, a low block and ball only, in the first picture,
where they accentuate the arches that lead right and left into the two
divisions of the flower garden. This plainer form is perhaps more
suitable to this grand old place than the more elaborate, just because
it is simpler and more dignified.
The flower garden, as it is to-day, is quite modern. The finest of the
hardy flowers are well grown in bold groups. Luxuriant are the masses of
Phlox and tall Pyrethrum, of towering Rudbeckia, of Bocconia, now in
seed-pod but scarcely less handsome than when in bloom; of the bold
yellow Tansy and Japan Anemones; all telling, by their size and vigour,
of a strong loamy soil.
Many are the arches of cluster and other climbing Roses; at one point in
the kitchen garden coming near enough together to make a tunnel-like
effect.
Wonderful is the colouring and diversity of texture!--the bright
flowers, the rich, dark velvet of the half-distant yews, the
weather-worn granite and rough-cast of the great building.
If the flowers in the second and third pictures were in our southern
counties the time would be the end of August or at latest the middle of
September, but the seasons of the flowers in Scotland are much later,
and these would be October borders.
The Castle stands upon a wide, level, grassy terrace, which is stopped
on the north-eastern side by the parapet of a retaining wall, broken by
a flight of steps down to the path that is bounded by the two hedges of
ancient yews shown in the first picture. These hedges divide the flower
garden into two equal parts on the lower level, for, from where the
Castle stands, the ground falls to the south and east. On each side of
the steps, just beneath the terrace wall, is a flower border.
Immediately on entering the double wall of yew there is an opening to
right and left--an arch cut in the living green--giving access to the
two square gardens, in both of which a path passes all round next the
yews. There is also a flower border on two sides. The middle space is
grass with flower beds; in the left-hand garden (coming from the Castle)
are bold masses of herbaceous plants in beds grouped round a fountain;
in the one on the right, for the most part, Roses and Lilies.
To the south-east, and occupying the space next beyond the rose garden
and the end of the lawn adjoining the Castle, is the kitchen garden. The
main walks have flower borders. Where the two cross paths intersect is a
Mulberry tree with an encircling seat. The subjects of the second and
third pictures are within the kitchen garden.
Many are the beautiful points of view from the kitchen garden, for there
the grand yew hedges show beyond the flowers; then, towering aloft,
comes the fairy castle, and then fine trees; for trees are all around,
closely approaching the garden’s boundaries.
* * * * *
The brilliancy of colour masses in these Scottish gardens is something
remarkable. Whether it is attributable to soil or climate one cannot
say; possibly the greater length of day, and therefore of daily
sunshine, of these northern summers, may account for it. Of the great
number of people who go North for the usual autumn shooting, those
[Illustration: CRATHES