To cross over the moat to get to the castle, a drawbridge was built. It could be raised or lowered by a mechanism located inside the castle. But in the last few years of castle building, a few brick ones were built. In the 1800s, it was fashionable to build houses that looked like castles. These are referred to as Gothic castles .
Many Scottish castles are really fortified houses with the main living rooms on the upper floors.
Many Americans who were not taught world history are surprised bows and arrows are so ancient in Europe. Most Americans think bows and arrows were weapons merely of the North American Indians. Beam holes are where beams that held up the ceilings were fitted. They can still be seen in some ruined castles. A coat of arms is a common features in castles of families with a pedigree.