Smailholm Tower

Smailholm Tower is located south from the vilage of Smailholm, around five miles (8 km) west of Kelso (Scottish Gaelic: Cealsaidh)  in the historic county of Roxburghshire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Rosbroig) in the Southern Uplands of Scotland.  The rectangular tower stands in a spectacular position on top of a rocky outcrop and is thought to have been built in the early 15th century. It is approximately 39 ft by 31 ft with walls of about 8 ft thick and stands at a height of 65 ft. 

It was once owned by the Pringle family. In 1745 it was in the possession of the Scotts of Harden. Sir Walter Scott, visited his paternal grandfather here when a boy and spent long periods at the tower during his youth. Smailholm provides the setting for Scott's ballad The Eve of St John, and also appears in Marmion. As a result of Scott's poetry, his uncle was able to make improvements to the structure. However, after 1800 the building was left to deteriorate and fell into very poor condition. 

In the 1980s it underwent some restoration and is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland (HES) (Scottish Gaelic: Àrainneachd Eachdraidheil Alba). Within the tower is a model of the Pringle residence and a collection of costume figures and tapestries relating to the works of Sir Walter Scott. Smailholm Tower is also noted for spectacular views of the surrounding countryside from its battlements. Details of the opening times can seen on the link to the VisitScotland (a national tourism organisation for Scotland) website below. 

Link and Image: VisitScotland - Smailholm Tower and image is courtesy of their website.