The Scottish Borders has a turbulent history. As well as being the frontline for wars with England, it was home to a number of notorious families known as “border reivers” (see note below). So perhaps not surprisingly, fortified tower houses were built to deter and defend against attack.
Greenknowe Tower, located near Gordon in the Scottish Borders, is an interesting 16th-century example of a tower house. It was built in 1581 by Sir James Seton, with the construction date and the initials of Seton and his wife, Janet Edmonstone, inscribed above the entrance. The Seton family had owned land in Gordon since marrying into the Gordon family: who in turn had been granted the estate by Malcolm II in 1018.
The tower rises impressively to four stories, with a distinctive L-plan design. It is adorned with multi-corbelled angle turrets and crow-stepped gables. Its defensive features include gun loops, a single entrance door, and a rare iron yett, or gate, for added security. However, there is no parapet.
While today Greenknowe Tower stands in relative isolation on its knoll, historically it was the centrepiece of a more extensive complex. Originally, the tower was surrounded by a stone wall enclosing a large courtyard area that would have contained various outbuildings. This arrangement is typical of Scottish tower houses, which often formed the secure core of a localised settlement.
It’s likely that Seton didn’t anticipate a lot of trouble at his new home. The impressive turrets were possibly more for show than for defence, while the pistol holes in the walls were better suited for deterring intruders than defending against armies. That said, it was strategically positioned to provide protection and demonstrate the family’s social standing.
Greenknowe Tower passed to the Pringles in the early 1600s. Noted Covenanter and author Walter Pringle of Stichel lived there in the mid-1600s. He may have refurbished the tower, enlarging windows and adding an extension on the north side.
The tower later passed to the Dalrymple family but in or around 1850, it was abandoned. It was given into state care in 1937. Today it is a scheduled ancient monument and is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.
Greenknowe Tower can be accessed from a layby on the A6105, just west of Gordon. There is a short path up to the ruin which is set in the beautiful Scottish Borders countryside. At the time of my visit, there was no access inside the building due to necessary masonry inspections.
Greenknowe Tower may not be as impressive as some of Scotland’s many other castles, but it doesn’t disappoint. It is a strong reminder of the troubled and interesting history of the Scottish Borders.
Note: The Border Reivers were groups of raiders based upon a particular family or clan along both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border. They engaged in a culture of raiding (reiving) to steal livestock and to kidnap for ransom. For these families it was a normal way of life.
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