Yett A yett ( from the Old English and Scots language word for " gate " ) is a gate or grille of latticed wrought iron bars used for defensive purposes in castles and tower house s . Unlike a portcullis , which is raised and lowered vertically using mechanical means , yetts are hinged in the manner of a traditional gate or door , and secured by bolts attached to the yett , or by long bars drawn out from the wall or gateway . Geographical distribution . Yetts are predominantly found in Scotland – where most towers , particularly the later ones , were equipped with them rather than portcullises – but some iron gates are found in the Border counties of England . While few references to yetts exist outside Scotland , an English report of 1416 on Roxburgh Castle ( then in English hands ) contained recommendations for the insertion of iron gates . Yetts are not restricted to any one region or district within Scotland , but are widespread throughout . Similar grille constructions , frequently also referred to as yetts , were used in Scotland over windows and other openings . These were typically fixed in place , often set into the jambs , sills and lintels . Origins and use . The earliest references to yetts date from the 14th century . Exchequer Rolls from 1377 refer to a " fabricated iron gate " , part of the defences for David ' s Tower in Edinburgh Castle . Yetts were also appearing in other castles at about the same time . Craigmillar , built soon after 1374 , reputedly contained a yett , and Doune Castle ( c . 1380 ) still retains its original double - leafed yett ; a similar double - leafed yett is present at Balvenie , but its age is uncertain . By the 15th century , yetts and window - grilles had become standard features within Scottish castles and towers . The yett was frequently used as cheaper alternative to the portcullis , since it was simpler in concept , less cumbersome and more practical . However , it was also used within more complex defensive arrangements . The 14th - century castle at Doune , in Perthshire , had a portcullis in the main gateway supplemented by a yett , with a second yett at the far bailey end of the passage . The yetts each had two leaves , with a wicket gate inserted within one of the leaves . Commonly , the yett would be placed behind a wooden door , providing additional security should the outer door be burned . Being a defensive structure , royal warrants were required before a yett could be added to any house or castle . These were frequently issued with other licenses for defensive features ; for example , in 1501 John Murray of Cockpool was given a licence to build a tower at Comlongon with machicolation s and " irneztteis and windois " . Aggressors might attempt to remove yetts : in February 1489 the Hepburns in Stirlingshire brought an action against the Grahams who had taken away the iron yett of Bruce ' s Tower in order to gain possession . Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603 , efforts were made by the government to control the disorder and reiving in the borders . In November 1606 it was recognised that one of the impediments to the administration of justice in the area was the strength of the houses . Consequently , the Privy Council ordered that all yetts should be removed from all houses belonging to those lower in rank than barons . Construction . In Scotland , yetts were traditionally made using a " through and through " construction , with both horizontal and vertical bars either woven alternatively around or through each other , creating a structure almost impossible to dismantle . The grille was left open . The usual method was to build the yett in quadrants with all the bars in a quadrant passing either vertically or horizontally through the mating bars as shown in the photograph . This method of construction for gates is not seen outside Scotland , although window grilles constructed in this manner are found in northern Italy and Tyrol . Grated windows in the Scottish style were traditional in Tyrol in the 15th century , and similar window grilles are seen a century later in Venice , particularly the 16th century Palazzo Ducale ( although the bars are somewhat larger than those used in Scotland ) . It is likely the craft spread south from Tyrol to the Venetian Republic , but little apparent connection to the earlier Scottish technology , although there was some trade between Scotland and Germany . Grated iron doors were found in England , but were constructed using a different method . For the English - style gate , the vertical bars all passed in front of the horizontal bars , and were riveted or fixed in place ; the spaces were infilled with oak , making the gate solid . One notable exception , however , is constructed using the Scottish method : a yett from Streatlam Castle , now held at Bowes Museum . Streatlam was rebuilt by Sir George Bowes following damage in the 16th century ; the Bowes family had connections in Scotland , which may have inspired the yett construction . Since yetts were immensely heavy , and there is little evidence to suggest they were prefabricated , it is possible that many were made locally rather than transported large distances , either by local smiths or itinerant specialists . However , the yetts and window grilles of Scottish royal palaces were made to measure in the smithy of the royal artillery at Edinburgh Castle and transported to houses like Falkland Palace , Hamilton Palace and Linlithgow Palace , and some for Stirling Castle were made in Linlithgow . Conventionally , window - grilles were built into the stone window - frames . Costs . Some price data for the comparative cost of yetts survive in old accounts . In 1515 , Robert Scott , smith , his brother and workman were paid £8 - 8s Scots for working yetts for Hume Castle . The iron cost itself cost £17 - 6s with £1 worth of coal . Records show that a yett constructed in 1568 for Kilravock Castle by a local smith weighed 34 stone , 3 lb , and cost £34 - 3s - 9d and " three bolls meal , ane stane butter , and ane stane cheese . "