Orchardton Tower

Orchardton Tower is a ruined four storey fifteenth century tower house in the historic county of Kirkcudbrightshire, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh, Alba). It is located 4 miles south, along the A711 road, from the town of Dalbeattie, (Scottish Gaelic: Dail Bheithe) and 1 mile south of the village of Palnackie. This building is noted for being the only cylindrical tower house in Scotland and was built by the Cairns family. 

The tower is about 37 feet in height, and around 29 feet in diameter and  tapers slightly to the top. The walls are about 6 feet thick. There is a corbelled parapet at the top of the walls, with a gabled caphouse covering the spiral stair. On the ground floor is a vaulted cellar. Above this would have been a main room with fireplace, deep windows with seats, and a carved lavabo or piscina. At the level above would have been two further rooms. Orchardton Tower is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba) as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Links: Historic Environment Scotland and also Visit Kirkcudbright and the image is courtesy of their website.