History and traditions of the land of the Lindsays in Angus and Mearns

CAKESTON — THE CASTLE. 235
being the best gentleman's place in the shire, for its internal
carvings, though fast going to ruin, are still among the richest
of their kind in the district.
It was tenanted within these twenty years, but since that
time has been little cared for ; and the finest garden ornament,
which consisted of a magnificently carved vase of fruits and
flowers, went to pieces in the hands of the workmen who were
employed to take it down. All trace of ancient refinement,
for which this place was once so remarkable, is not completely
gone, however : — The inhabitants of the Mains still receive
water from the gaping mouth of a well-sculptured dolphin, and
other tasteful carvings grace the well in the outer court of the
castle, and the now waterless pond in the middle of the kitchen
garden.
But it is by the internal decorations of Careston that the
genius of the sculptor, and the taste of the erector, are to be
fully estimated. These consist mostly in heraldic bearings, with
which, and a good deal of grotesque ornament, the landing of
the old staircase and five of the bed-rooms, are profusely deco-
rated ; and, from the Carnegy arms holding a chief place in the
staircase, this armorial group had probably been set up by Sir
Alexander.* In the dining and drawing-rooms, allegorical repre-
sentations predominate. The fire-place of the former is flanked
by male and female satyrs, and the mantle-piece embellished
with the Airlie arms and motto, guarded on each side by two
naked figures holding urns, from each of which a serpent, em-
blematical of life, issue their curling forms, and unite together
at the top.
The mantle-piece of the old drawing-room bears a fine sculp-
ture of the Royal arms of Scotland, surrounded by military
trophies, consisting of banners, shields, and lances, with two nude
human figures riding on lamas. These are flanked on each
side by a man and woman nearly life-size, also naked, holding
cornucopias in their hands, beautifully festooned, and united in the
middle by a Pan's head. Immediately under the Royal arms, a
plain tablet bears the following incentive motto, in allusion,
perhaps, to the valorous character and high position of the first
* Besides the armorial bearings of Carnegie, which are in the centre, this cluster also
comprises that of the families of Wenijss of that Ilk; Blair of Balthyock ; Halliburton of
Titeur ; Foulis of Oolingtfin ; Earl of Gowrie ; Earl of Haddington ; and Earl of Airlie.