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Latitude: 56.274 / 56°16'26"N
Longitude: -3.2826 / 3°16'57"W
OS Eastings: 320674
OS Northings: 709797
OS Grid: NO206097
Mapcode National: GBR 25.8LHZ
Mapcode Global: WH6R0.KK2M
Entry Name: Corston Tower,towerhouse and dovecot
Scheduled Date: 17 February 1993
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Source ID: SM5616
Schedule Class: Cultural
Category: Secular: tower
Location: Strathmiglo
County: Fife
Electoral Ward: Howe of Fife and Tay Coast
Traditional County: Fife
The monument consists of the remains of a 16th century towerhouse known as Corston Tower.
The tower, originally rectangular, is situated in a cultivated field 600m W of Strathmiglo. In the 16th century the lands of Corston belonged to John Ramsay, a descendant of the house of Carnock. Corston came into the possession of the Colquoun family circa 1669. The building partially collapsed in 1887, leaving only the NE wall standing. This portion measures 8.1m in length, is 1.3m thick and about 9m high. Surviving footings suggest a ground plan measuring
8.1m NW-SE by 7.7m NE-SW.
Corston had a vaulted basement, two upper storeys and an attic. Joist holes for ceiling beams can be seen in the remaining wall. The masonry is pink sandstone rubble with ashlar dressings. Lord Bute acquired the tower in 1888 when repairs were carried out including securing the walls with iron brackets; and rebuilding the lower portions of the NW and SE walls. The foundations of outbuildings connected with the castle were apparent in the late 19th century; with a kitchen at the SW corner.
The garden, including a dovecot, extended for "three quarters of a Scotch acre" and lay to the SE. These features are no longer visible above ground. The area to be scheduled is rectangular, measuring a maximum of 65m E-W by 90m N-S, to include the tower and a surrounding area in which further associated features are likely to survive, as shown in red on the accompanying map.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
The monument is of national importance as a good example of a defensive towerhouse dating from the 16th century. As such it provides material evidence which has the potential, through excavation, to shed light on the social organisation and material culture of the stronghold's previous inhabitants. The importance of the towerhouse is enhanced by the survival of the remains of ancillary buildings.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Bibliography
RCAHMS records the monument as NO20NW 1.
Source: Historic Environment Scotland
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