So when it comes to floor plans, what did you feel your priorities were, what modern convenincies did you want, what compromises between modern and traditional are you making?

 

Did you go for an all in one structure, or several structures?

 

I'm very very concious about over commiting when it comes to floor space size, and of course by nature these things arent small. I'm also concious about expansion should it be needed and how to achieve that.

 

I'm sure everyones gone through these questions in their head, but how did you come to the floor plan your perusing, or most favouring?

 

 

I think for me I'm after a all in one structure (as much as possible) thats not overly complex, yet functional. Something like Borthwick is ideal, atleast at this stage, as one could have everything in that building that you need. Easily a 3 bedroom house, with ample rooms for other stuff. I'm also thinking about putting the tower house inside say, a 2 story high wall, with various towers and a gate house, which would enable me to build structures butted up against the inside of the walls for expansion and somewhere to put a car garage without looking out of place. But we shall see.

 

So how have you come to conclusions? :)

So when it comes to floor plans, what did you feel your priorities were, what modern conveniences did you want, what compromises between modern and traditional are you making?

 

Priorities:

What was needed to fit my purpose's for building a castle and as time has passed many of those have grown to fit new requirements.

Utility's:

All so most had to be modified to fit the surroundings.

Compromises:

None. It wasn't the castle it self that got changed to fit but rather the modernizing that was altered.

 

 

Did you go for an all in one structure, or several structures?

 

Both in fitting the castle structure it self. Interior rooms but with a domestic wing also which can be compared with a wing on a T. H.

 

 

I'm sure everyones gone through these questions in their head, but how did you come to the floor plan your perusing, or most favoring?

 

I inclined toward a T.H. for many reason and that I was born in Scotland in the Highlands near where Gordon lives to a Scottish Father and an Irish Mother.

The actual design came about because of my priority's and the floor plan was mandated by the design and the needed elements of those facts.

I haven't decided on a floorplan. I had a basic sketch going but I'm going to wait to purchase my land before really getting into the plan. However, what I would like to do is build a structure that looks and feels basically 400 yrs old with "additions" ....much like a "real" castle would be ....did that make sense?

yup possibly better then my ramblings

Ralph's right, first decide why you want a castle, then start planning. If you want a 'replica,' find a plan that suits your needs and can fit your vision of life there. And that's the key, YOU are going to live in it. It will be your home. Then once you have those ideas set in your mind, you can start planning.

This is true, for me I think I would like modern conveniences in a castle house. However in saying that, I'd like it to be as authentic as possible. But will make compromises where necessary, or as seen fit. So I guess that means period-esque

If you're building from scratch you can hide the utilities. Take a look in Castle Floorplans and Inner Workings at some of the conversions/ restorations for interior ideas, Mains seems to be a favourite, and it has a bottle dungeon in case you ever have the mother in law over for a visit!

 

Mains Castle

Another which has undergone a variety of extensions over the centuries is Cawdor, associated with MacBeth ( but only because of Shakespeare!)

Cawdor Castle

Or maybe something like Caerlaverock would suit you better.

http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=784

I've gone though a bunch of sites looking at castles I like the exterior of, ones that stuck out and were appealing, sorted those into must research, are ok, and vague interest groups. Unfortunately the only one I can remember (its all at home and I'm at work) was Hoghton Tower. http://www.hoghtontower.co.uk/

 

Definately quite an appealing looking thing