FIRST PERIOD 136 TARBERT CASTLE when castle-building in stone began in Scotland. Viewed in the light of its various architectural styles, and in the light of its own history, it is clear that the original portions of this castle could not have been erected later than about the middle of the fourteenth century, the date at which Caerlaverock Castle is said to have changed its site. TARBERT CASTLE, ARGYLLSHIRE. This castle is of unusual interest from being intimately associated with King Robert the Bruce. It is situated on a small creek called Loch Tarbert, on the west side of Loch Fyne, and stands on the summit of an eminence about 60 feet above the sea, and at a distance from the shore of about 60 yards. It was one of the royal fortresses which Edward i. caused to be handed over to Baliol, after placing him on the throne in 1292. In 1325 Bruce had the castle inspected and impaired, with the intention of using it for the purpose of overawing the Highlanders, then being brought by him under subjection, and a gl-ance at the map will show that the situation of Tarbert, on its isthmus, is one of the best strategical positions in the country. The object of the castle from its first erection must have been to serve as an entrenched camp or strong- hold for a large garrison on the edge of a country which might any day rise up in rebellion, and this explains its plan. The castle with which Bruce's name is associated seems hitherto not to have been recognised, but has always been confounded with a late keep adjoining it to the east, situated in the outer courtyard. It is shown by hatched lines on the plan, and will be hereafter described. We have now no means of exactly determining to what extent the castle existed before Bruce's additions and repairs were made, but judg- ing by analogy we may infer that the square enclosure which constitutes the castle proper was what he found existing before he commenced his operations. This castle or enclosure has a strong resemblance to Kinclaven Castle, Perthshire, a pre-Brucian castle of almost the same size and plan. If this surmise is correct we may conclude that Bruce erected the lower court with its drum towers, and so enlarged the castle as to make it better available for his purpose. Tarbert Castle (Fig. 108) consisted of walls enclosing a square measur- ing about 120 feet each way, now generally reduced to little more than grass mounds, with pieces of masonry seen here and there, except along the north-east curtain, where considerable portions of the old wall can still be seen on the lower ground outside. These walls were not less than 8 feet thick, but of their height no estimate can now be formed. The north-west angle of the square was slightly canted to suit the ground. Inside this enclosure was another square formed by walls of the same thickness as those just described, with a space between of from 18 feet
