Smailholm Tower
Its dramatic situation, atop a crag of Lady Hill, commands wide views over the surrounding countryside.The tower is located at grid reference NT637346, just west of Sandyknowe farm, and is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.[1] In June 2007, it was awarded the maximum "five-star" status as a tourist attraction from VisitScotland, a rating bestowed on only eight other sites in Scotland.[3] This family, originally Hoppringle, who were followers of the Earl of Douglas, held the lands of Smailholm from the early 15th century, and managed part of Ettrick Forest for their feudal superior.These upper parts of the tower, including a gunloop in the west gable covering the barmkin, were remodelled in the 17th century.The courtyard, around 16 m by 19 m, contains the foundations of a single-storey hall house of the 17th century to the north, and a two-roomed kitchen block to the south.
Smailholmpeel towerScottish BordersScheduled Ancient MonumentHistoric Environment ScotlandVisitScotlandbarmkinPringle familyHoppringleEarl of DouglasEttrick ForestScottish peel towersEnglish raidsWark CastleScotts of HardenEarl of Ellesmeretower househall houseentresolWalter ScottMarmionJ. M. W. TurnerHenry Fox TalbotJames IIClan PringleBrotherstone HillList of places in the Scottish BordersList of places in ScotlandCastles in ScotlandNational Monuments Record of ScotlandWayback MachineCastles in the Scottish BordersAyton CastleBillie CastleBranxholme CastleCessford CastleCranshaws CastleCavers CastleDrochil CastleDryhope TowerDuns CastleEdrington CastleFast CastleFatlips CastleFerniehirst CastleFloors CastleFulton TowerGreenknowe TowerHermitage CastleHume CastleJedburgh CastleKirkhope TowerMangerton TowerMervinslaw PeleNeidpath CastleNewark CastleNisbet HouseRoxburgh CastleThirlestane CastleTinnis (Yarrow)Traquair HouseVenlawWedderburn CastleWhitslaid Tower