Moy Castle
Found a nice description of the inside of Moy Castle in the following:
A history of the clan MacLean: by J. P. MacLean
Cincinnati : Robert Clarke & Co., 1889
"It is now one of the best preserved castles in the Hebrides, and until
within the last few years its roof was kept entire. It is located on a low
rock nearly midway across the head of the bay, and at high tide its base is
washed by the sea. For the most part it is built of flat stones, thoroughly
cemented together, being broadest at the base. The gate or door-way faces
the north, and was formerly protected by a fosse. The gateway is protected
by a wooden door, which swings inward: and in turn is guarded by an iron
grating on hinges, which is secured by a wooden beam built into the wall,
which may be moved at will, but cannot be taken out of the wall. In the
wall, to the west, is a recess, where the gateman was constantly stationed.
The floor of the interior of the first story is a solid rock, in the center
of which is a basin four feet in depth, which is always full of water, but
never overflows. Where the water comes from is unknown. In the east wall
is a passage-way leading to the stairs, which passes through the east wall
to the south-east corner of the second story. From that point upward the
stairway is spiral, all of the steps composed of stone. Over the first
passage-way, and in the wall, is the vault which held the dead during the
funeral obsequies. The second and third floors are formed of solid stone
arches. The second story was the judgement hall, and just off it, and
within the east wall, is the chapel, which is reached by a door-way from the
spiral stairs. In the south-west corner is the dungeon, which extends from
the second floor down to the level of the ground floor. It does not admit
of a ray of light, and so constructed as to contain water, and on the floor
is placed a single stone, upon which the prisoner must stand, or else drown.
Where the water comes from is unknown. There is an escape to prevent an
overflow. The third floor was the banqueting hall. The fourth and fifth
stories had their floors composed of wood. Here chimneys, fireplaces, and
windows may be seen. On the summit, at the north side, is a parapet, where
a watchman was constantly on duty. The height of the castle is fifty-five
feet, and on the north and south sides the walls, on the exterior, are
thirty-two feet; on the east and west sides, thirty-seven feet. At all
places the walls are seven feet in thickness"
Matthew
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