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Continue reading →: Exploring Dryhope Tower: A Glimpse into Scottish Border HistoryDryhope Tower is a significant ruined peel or tower house located in the valley of the Yarrow Water near St Mary’s Loch in the Scottish Borders. Historically serving as a defensive structure, this sturdy-looking tower stands on a shelf of…
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Continue reading →: The secrets of Orchardton Tower: Scotland’s unique round fortressOn a quiet rise above the Galloway coast sits a large stone cylinder. Weather‑worn and roofless, Orchardton Tower has stood for over five centuries. As the only free‑standing round tower house in mainland Scotland, it is a singular survivor from…
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Continue reading →: Fast Castle: a dramatic Scottish ruinWhen it comes to dramatic locations, Fast Castle takes some beating. There may not be much remaining today, but getting there, and experiencing its extreme position, will take your breath away. Located near Coldingham in the Scottish Borders, Fast Castle…
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Continue reading →: Smailholm Tower: A Glimpse into Medieval Border LifeThe beautifully preserved Smailholm Tower was built in the mid-15th century by the Pringle family (then known as Hoppringle). At the time, they were wardens of Ettrick Forest for the Black Douglases. Often described as a silent sentinel, Smailholm Tower…
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Continue reading →: Horsburgh Castle: a 16th century border ruinHorsburgh Castle (also known as Horsburgh Tower) sits on top of a hill roughly two miles (3.2 km) east of Peebles, overlooking the gentle sweep of the River Tweed. From this vantage point, the 16th-century tower would have dominated the…
Exploring Scotland’s Historic Places
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Welcome to Thistle & Time. Here you can follow my exploration of Scotland’s many historic places.
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