I think it's just up to the individual whether or not they want to have all that stuff showing. Let's face it...going back to the 13th century isn't an option...why not make a cave and live like a caveman? BUT, some opt for some faux authenticity just to make it that much more cool. I know for us, we want the illusion, to some degree to be maintained. I, personally could go more for the old school way than Scott drinks moat*#@er, because I like the idea of natural energy use, etc. and self-sufficiency. However, some of that is just unworkable, like the kitchen for example. The way I've gotten around this is to incorporate modern stuff where practical, and authentic stuff where desired. I like having the old school stuff around that really works. I hate seeing antiques that are only meant to be looked at or explained about. I want a working one! At the same time, I want to have a "modern" castle environment, that embodies the work of craftspeople today, in a newly reinvented "Medieval" style. So I think that you have come to grips with this aspect of your project, Laureen, and I think that's good. Going through all this trouble isn't for all, and I think that perhaps it is a good choice. God knows the renovations alone will be enough to keep you busy!

yeah, I have noticed that too in the castles that are being rented out for rooms and functions....kind of like fancy hotel rooms. To me thats a little dissappointing. I do sort of like that raw look....I was thinking my place....whatever I end up building....even if it is a stone cottage....will still be pretty basic.....I like the stucco and half timber look for a non-stone room. I guess my "vision" for my place is a to make it look like I found an old castle and added just enough modern features to make it inhabitable...like electricity and modern plumbing etc.

I would love to see some of the images in your brochures. Take your time and go nuts.


Thanks Andrew!

I got to scan in 1 image of Kinkell which was renovated in the 70's I believe and I'm still working on getting it reduced in size to post.
Yeah I'm doing great around here lately, rebuilding the engine in the favorite parts delivery truck... Meg's pick-up truck no less, trying to fix the Gallery, doing on site contract work and then got bogged down with everything else, sorry for the delays.

Take it easy....the Homestead is your priority...not us here...I'm certainly in no hurry.....

referring to a few posts back with whitey's avatar....


Why Steve, you've changed....you look so much like...like ....Scott drinks moat*#@er...I know that people with pets start looking like them after a while but I thought it tooks years, not days.....

Ok, sorry guys....just HAD to after all the blonde jokes flying around lately...

Anyway, Steve, somehow I missed that last post this AM....I agree with your philosophies on most of this...I love old stuff too...especially working old stuff...being my place will be much smaller than the CCI project, it will be much easier for me to get away with some things...like going off grid....my outloud "thinking" was really for myself I think....really wondering...for me...what "authentic" could comfortably be. I know I def want the physical structure to feel hundreds of years old...but I think I'll be ok giving the place the feel of a little update...like I said before...electrical outlets and lighting...maybe that will change as things go forward...but I def dont want the place to feel new or modern ...I want to step inside and not know what century I'm in...

My place is going to basically be the size of a manor...the only commercial aspect to my place will be a chapel, hall and maybe a few rooms...for the sole purpose of wedding rentals...I call it my retirement plan...when I'm too old to work I still have an income from the wedding rentals.... I'm not going to even hire kitchen staff....the rental will be 1 fee for the place, you bring in your own caterer or make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches....I don't care....and the caterer must have the liquor license because I'm not even going to get that....you leave the place in good shape when you leave, you get your security deposit back.

..."look like their pets" , huh?
oooo-kaaaay...
and uh,... Laureen, ... dont you own a yappy, YELLOW poodle ?!?!?!!
>A-HEM!<
Touche, floks. ya got me with the pet thing. But thats mainly because Cleave is an illiterate barbarian who cant read aa computer screen - much like myself- or maybe he's just my alter ego and I slipped - ya never know.

All jesting aside... (move over, Cleave)
I still hold true to the original idea that the decor and building materiaals should be as authentic as one can maake it and that the only real way to fail at this is to make it not good enough - not real enough, not believable (or too modern).
Cheap substitutes ae dettectable to aall but a fool. So unless youre building it for Cleave, ...

See, sometimes I cant help it either...

LOL.....yeah, sorry 'bout the pet thing.....it just worked so well....

I managed to dig out three brochures, all of which are in Scotland.

As Duncan is trying to keep some form of order on this website, I will post the images in the "Castle Floorplans & Interior Workings" Forum.

If Duncan thinks they should go elsewhere, I'm sure he'll let me know - or move them for me.

Andrew

OK you figured us out...Scott drinks moat*#@er is me and I am Scott drinks moat*#@er. It's a rare mental condition known as "MBPS".
(Multiple Barbarian Personality Syndrome) Strange manifestations include the "I can't read and he can't type" thing and the alter-ego launcher/launchee dramatization. It's getting worse, too....can't remember which avatar is whose. ("Can too!" - "Can't!" - "Beat it, Cleaver!" - "Love your tights!" ......)

Duncan, looking forward to the pic of Kinkel. No hurry on the site...not like there are hoards of barbarians waiting to use the goodies!
Laureen...your idea sounds like exactly what you want. If it's big enough, you could put your balls in there.... in fact, that is the ticket right there. You can rent it out, etc..but you could have quarterly balls to pay for it all. Any update on the VT land? You mentioned you were going there soon with bro' to check it out. What's the latest scoop? Hope it's not Vanilla....

Andrew, thanks for all the posts recently! I will have time tomorrow to look at some of them in detail over coffee....[_]3 look forward to it!
Oh, and Scott drinks moat*#@er...GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!!!!!!

Haven't been to VT yet....hoping to get there for some camping and hiking soon....VT is becoming a destination wedding place because of the mountains and skiing....you get a lot of $$$ from NYers there

I bet! Isn't there a Killington Ren Fair up there? ...

yes, its new.....small

hey, we should all make a trip some year to Lorient, France....largest celtic festival in the world....or so I am told...side thought...sorry....

FRANCE !!?! Some body give that blonde a sobriety test!

Yes FRANCE!!!!!! you forget Normandy region has celtic history...LOL so says the people of the region.....LOL

So does Brittany which was started by the English on French soil and if you research the Celts and their movements through the young world your see they passed through most of the European Continent very early on.
Some of their clans {tribes} split off in different sections of the world to populate that area, the final clans and some would say, the most pure of Celtic blood and the highest ranking ended up in the UK.
Take a look at the hill of kings in Ireland for example.

So endith Celtic World History brief 101......

Thanks for giving me a chance to babble some, still.... FRANCE!?!!

Yeah...I would love to see France, as well as the UK and such....

My "other brother" (he was an exchange student that stayed with us for 4 summers) was born and raised just outside Paris. His best friend owns a castle down the street from him. I told him if I come for a visit I'm staying at his friends house LOL.

Here's a bit of mystic Celtic info for you skeptics...you all know about the strange, Stonehenge-like structures located throughout Europe, starting up in Northern Ireland, I think and running all the way into eastern Europe. Debates vary on the purpose of these, of course. Someone did an underground survey of the area beneath all of these and found a giant iron ore deposit that runs parallel to the string of these, like a giant polarized magnet. Theories include that the structures were/are able to transmit magnetic energy from one to the next so that it built in strength as it went. Unknown as to the final purpose or use of it, but I think it ended up somewhere 1,000's of miles away! This has been a segment of Barbarian's Beleive it or Not!
???

here is another believe it or not....they have druid formations like stonehenge here in New England and they are doing an archeological study on them....

What's up with that?

The druids are newcomers to the hinges.
That image I sometimes use that you all have seen is from the quarry of just such a hinge. 1/4 mile deep, 1/4 mile into the hill and a 1/2 mile long.
By all signs that one stone was to be the alter stone whilst the others are still in the places they fell during the 1800's earth quake.
This ones got the avenue still outlined with fallen stones and the circle is mostly intact.
Not nearly as big as Stone Hinge in the UK, but still impressive non the less.

This one of Meg's favorite subjects and we have several images to put into the forum but yet not found the time.
I worked as the advanced scout in this area for the Cambridge University looking for things like this.
Including proof that the Vikings had made it all the way here which they did with out a doubt.
I don't know if you all believe in such things as Ley lines but it is interesting how much all this ties together in the ancient world.

Any thing else on this subject can be taken to the Stone Hinge forums, it needs some posts.
thanks guys.

No problem. I love to talk about this stuff! It's pretty cool that you have been exposed to it firsthand...it's like learning that your new friend i sfrom outer space. Or something...

When I was in 8th grade....my world history teacher made us do a report pertaining to some ancient civilization we were studying at the time....so, being Weirdo Barbie, I produced and turned in a report on the theory of Ancient Astronaunts and how these advanced outerspace beings could have been percieved as "Gods". Man...I need a labotomy...or is it a bottle in front of me......I forget...

Theres this modeling clay thats really the stuff to use if youre into tht kinda thing. Its caled plastalinaa made by Vaan Aken. Comes in 5 lb blocks and many colors.
I wanted to use it to get the 3D effects needed for working out how to do some of the buidings, how to make the roof lines etc. \
The model doesnt have to be solid clay- one can just wrap coffe (or paint) cans with a thin sheet of tthe stuff for making turrets.
Many pluses to clay; 3D, soft- fast to sculpt, reusable, never hardens. Good stuff.
Perhaps its greatest aid would be to provide a changable model that can be viewed from any angle and easily and quickly modified.

Yah, Laureen...you can use, um, Scott drinks moat*#@er's modeling clay to, ah, portray your 8th grade project on, um, Ancient Astronauts, like Scott drinks moat*#@er just, like, posted there. ???

(Scott drinks moat*#@er, please, we're trying to have a pseudo-scientific discussion on ancient mystical Druidic structures here. It's not like we're in the Castle Building forum or anything... )

Now where were we, Laureen?...Oh yes! Ancient Astronauts! I am familiar with the theory and there is much evidence to back it up, as far as I know. What did you get on the paper?

I got an A....probably for creativity....LMAO.....can bet in all of her years teaching that was the first and last of its kind LOL....

and now, back to castle building......

Just curious...I came across a newer project and wondered if anyone else had seen it? Right up in MA. I've included a couple other links too.

New American Castle, MA

Old Castle Shop

The Bishop Castle, CO

The Guedelon project

Nice links! I saw The Olde Castle Shop one before, but not the others. The idea gets around...
I really like the French project. Good resources for information on allof them in any case. Thanks!
I can foresee more and more press on these projects in the near future...good to start now before it becomes the latest craze!

guys....fill me in on this...don't have the time to check out the sites right now....thanks...

The Old Castle Shop is a great place to get ideas on the what and whys of planning and such...financial, ideas, background of uses, etc.

The other three are some other project sites of people building castles, with the last a french project that is underway using complete medieval methods for building a replica Burgundian castle. Really great site and interesting to watch their progression. No modern technology allowed on that one. Great site to check out when you get back online.

What she said.... It's interesting to see who and how different people take to this kind of project. For instsnce, the New American Castle Project is just a glorified house, but they used sponsers to help fund it. Look at the promotion it got! And look at the pics...ridiculous! It looks like my Mom's old house with a turret added. But it goes to show that it don't take much to get a buzz going. Now the Colorado project is just....like, DAMN!!! Built by one guy over 34 years! incredible! I can't top that one! In my book, that dude is KING! And it looks unbeleivably good. The French one is also very intriguing since it's being done with all medeival technology. Slated to take over 20 years, so kudos to those guys! Someday, some bright guy will try to build a pyramid or something! That Olde Castle Shop site is pretty good too. They list plenty of great resources for materials, labor, etc. I'd like to get Duncan's opinion on these sites.

I really am glad I wasn't the only one to think the New American Castle project actually looked like a glorified house. LOL But actually posted because of all of the backing they were able to achieve from local businesses. Just goes to show, you won't know if you don't ask. The other two were posted as great and totally unimaginable! Just more examples of different scales of projects and and dreams. Glad you all liked them.

My opinion may not be worth any thing.
Let me say this first, I am a castle purist and I lump castles into the Scottish definition of what a Castle should be.
So that said I'll lump these projects into a different category of New Castle Projects which is a way of saying Folly or a building that resembles a castle in some fashion.

I've been to several of these sites but one was new to me,

New American Castle, MA
In my opinion resembles a apartment complex that some one has loaded up with a castle type facade.
This type of architecture abounds around the country.

Old Castle Shop,
I will refrain from saying any thing for my own reasons.

The Bishop Castle, CO
Never saw this one before and I'm still wondering if by one man he means financing or hes lifting every stone by him self in which case I want to meet this giant of a man.

The Guedelon project,
I visited this site some years back and I'm still of the same opinion.
It's a living museum.

I told ya my opinions may not be worth much

Sokay. We thnk they are worth something or I wouldn't have asked for them. It helps me put things on a scale, so to speak...the Duncan scale. At least I know what a purist likes and dislikes, which is more info than I had before. Thanks for your opinions.

My pleasure.
I think the apartment complex should be in the realms of a mansion.
All the sites had some good quality's pertaining to their projects but I'm biased to begin with I guess.

I checked them out. My opiniohnh doesnt differ much from yours.
Im not the kind to get awe'ed by a split block mansion-thingie.
the guy who surposedly did the one by himself was neat - I dont fully care for the style of castle he built but the facct that its hand-made etc is respectable.

Ive changed my mind... Im going to make mine with vinyl siding anyone else wanna jump in?

I say we just put a big stone wall around a duplex and call it a castle...
(How about NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!) ::no-no.gif

Too funny! Vinyl siding..I don't think I could look at that.

I still like the French site and the one in Colorad. I believe he did put most the stones in...now gets help from "friends of the castle" since he is getting up in years.

I think for what he intended hes done rather well over the years and I'm glad hes getting some help to maybe finish what he visualized years ago.
The man deserves some credit for all his work.

The French site in one of their earlier images had electrical cords strung along the ground which I didn't see in any of the latest images.
I understand the volunteers had some problems a year or so ago with who was in charge of the project and the direction the building was going.
Not sure something I had read on the net a while back.
Just building the necessary tools or heavy engines for much of the work must be a real eye opener to the complexity's of the old ways of construction.
What I don't understand is the date of completion as the project is staffed by volunteers only.
I think the endeavor is a very good one and wish them much luck.


I thought you guys were going for the used beer can and Twinkie facade?

yeah, man thats a great one!

Why didnt I think of tha sooner?!?!

Wait... Im mid revising all my sketches to incorporate this new inovation...

Now, the twinkies.... you mean .. -theyre used as mortar, right?
'cause, you know, Twinkies DO last a long time...

no no, you don't use them in the construction....you just drink the beer and eat the twinkies as your building. That gives you the special and unique aspect of this red neck art work.

Yeah, thinking is you tried to use the twinkies as mortar or insulation you would have a ton of unwanted guests. But too...suppose there are those that don't mind them! (ACK!!)

As for the beer cans...hey I have seen someone who made a whole house outta empty cans and mortar. Suppose it would offer a bit of insulation if you could fill the cans with that expanding foam stuff. Still not quite the look I was headed for, but sure would be cheaper!!

Some where out West on old 66 is a house or was a house made from bottles and mortar. Gave all kinds of light inside during the day and made for surprisingly good insulation

Dunno if I would want to give bottles a try....would think it be more like living in a glass house. Probably not stupid enough to build it in tornado country either though.

I agree !! This guy picked up the bottles on the side of the road to build it. The thought of a tornado is one for nightmares!

Yeah, im with you too. I dont go for the "Sanford and Son" look.
However, there are people out there who seem to have created their own "style" of remodeling - guess you could call it Recycled Remodeling or some such thing.
Blaaaahh - says I. (spits)
What? are we trying to save on building materiels? Or just have a insatiable craving to be completely off the wall - what gives here with houses maade of .. of.. junk?

You know you're a redneck when you build your house addition out of three year's worth of Miller bottles.

whew...no chance of me being one then!

Ya know...bravo for those that take that leap though, think of all of the trash that was saved from lying around for the next 40 yrs....


(yes, I may live in the Ozarks, but I ain't one of 'em!)

You mean there are others that live there?... Perhaps we should come up with a slew of Barbarian jokes instead...
("You know you're a Barbarian when you sweat on your food to make it taste better.")
And now for something completely different.....

Scott drinks moat*#@er and I had a conversation recently about pouring the floor for the second level of the curtain wall, and thought that it would probably be the best way to do it. What do you think about it Duncan?

I could use a little more info here because I've missed something apparently, like the entire first and second level, who's on the first or what's where?