Castles · Scottish Lowlands
Repentance Tower
Repentance Tower — castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Annan · 7.2 km
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Repentance Tower is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1565. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.0375°, -3.3237°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
The Repentance Tower is a very rare example of a mid-16th century watch tower standing on Trailtrow Hill, six miles north-west of Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. Built in 1565 by John Maxwell, the tower takes its name from an inscription Repentance carved on the stonework above the entrance door.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
The Repentance Tower is a very rare example of a mid-16th century watch tower standing on Trailtrow Hill, six miles north-west of Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. Built in 1565 by John Maxwell, the tower takes its name from an inscription Repentance carved on the stonework above the entrance door.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
The watch tower remained with the Maxwells until in around 1627 the sixth Lord Herries sold Hoddam Castle and the tower to Sir Richard Murray of Cockpool (Comlongan) Castle. The barony and castle were purchased in 1690 by John Sharpe and remained with that family until 1878. Walter Scott made a note of traditions connected with the tower in Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. Thomas Carlyle lived at the nearby farm with his family from May 1825 to May 1826. He knew the tower and the views from Trailtrow Hill very well, leaving vivid descriptions in his letters and Reminiscences.
Architecture
The tower was built by John Maxwell, 4th Lord Herries, who had built Hoddom Castle on lower ground nearby. It is said that heunwisely used stone from the Trailtrow Chapel that once stood on this site in the construction of his castle, with the result that Alexander Gordon, Archbishop of Glasgow required that a watch tower be built as recompense. It is surrounded by gravestones associated with the former chapel. A parapet and walk are at the top and the Hip roof was covered with stone slabs without any gables. Gun loops, shot holes and small windows are present with the entrance at the first floor level, now provided with a set of stone steps although originally a retractable wooden ladder…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.0375, -3.3237
- District
- Dumfries and Galloway
- Postcode
- DG11 1AS
- Parliamentary constituency
- Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
- Established
- 1565
- Nearest railway station
- Annan — 7.2 km
Sources
- wikidata: Q7313973 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Repentance Tower (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Repentance Tower.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Repentance Tower?
- Repentance Tower is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode DG11 1AS).
- When was Repentance Tower built?
- Built or established in 1565.
- Is Repentance Tower a listed building?
- Repentance Tower is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Repentance Tower charge admission?
- Repentance Tower typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Repentance Tower?
- The nearest railway station is Annan, about 7.2 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode DG11 1AS.