Description

This monument comprises the remains of a tower built before 1363 and abandoned after being captured by Archibald the Grim in 1390. It sits on the highest point of a small island in Lochnaw Loch. The loch was drained in the late 17th century and used as pasture until being reflooded in the early 19th century.

The visible remains consist of a single wall over 3m high and 8m long, running SW to NE, which shows the start of a barrel vault to the SE. The wall also has a small aumbry and the traces of a window slit. At the SW end of the wall there is fragment of a return heading SE for about 2m. There is a decayed dry stone wall which goes around the island: this is probably associated with the farming activites of the eighteenth century. However it appears to overlie the footings of an older wall which may relate to the tower.

The area to be scheduled includes the entire island which measures roughly 120m SE to NW by up to 25m across. It also includes an area presently under water, extending 10m out around the island, all as marked in red on the accompanying map.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Statement of Scheduling

The monument is of national importance because it is a 14th century tower on a site which has seen only very light re-use since the 15th century. For that reason, even though little remains standing, the archaeology is likely to be well preserved due to minimal ground disturbance.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland

Sources

Bibliography

RCAHMS records the monument as NW96SE 4.

Source: Historic Environment Scotland