Whytbank Tower
Whytbank Tower, which was built by James Pringle, consists of a tower house and a courtyard which lie high up on the east slope of Knowes Hill. The Tower was restored in 1992 as a private residence.
Check out our film below….
Scary?
Heartwarming?
Creepy?
Emotional?
You just can’t put this video in a “box”…
…Whytbank Tower near Clovenfords is a rather dangerous structure please do not visit.
In Pictures (And a little bit further info)
Whytbank Tower near Clovenfords was built in 16th Century for the family of the (Hop)Pringles – Although unlived in the gardens are well kept.
A huge buttress added in later life possibly to aid against subsidence
The only entrance to the main tower
The tower and buildings itself are very dilapidated and in a dangerous state but the main tower was rebuilt in 1992 and this stone plaque celebrates this
The entrance with plaque in situ
The outbuildings and courtyard support buildings are now only existent at ground level
A vaulted room can be seen at the end – possibly a food store
The steps into the support courtyard buildings
Very little windows appear on the tower which suggests this was built for fortification
In the 16th century there was and act passed through parliament (‘every landed man
in the Border having a hundred pounds (worth) of land should build a barmkyn of stone and
lime sixty feet square, one ell* thick and six ells high for the defence of himself, his tenants
and goods.’)
in the Border having a hundred pounds (worth) of land should build a barmkyn of stone and
lime sixty feet square, one ell* thick and six ells high for the defence of himself, his tenants
and goods.’)
The tower merges into nature
It is unknown how much a part this tower played in the story of the border rievers, but it was certainly built for defence, entertaining and a show of wealth and power
Again the lack of windows
The building is currently owned by a Panamanian company – whos knows?!?
The tower proudly looking over the estate of Yair and the 3 brethren where the ownership lands end
The courtyard falls away to terraced gardens
A great piece of architecture!
The building is very dangerous – we don’t recommend going into the grounds but you can view it from the path beside it and take in the splendor and imagine what it was like in its hay-day!