Archaeology Notes

Event ID 699754

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/699754

NS32SW 14 3385 2179.

(NS 3385 2179) Wallace Tower (NAT) on site of Auld Tower (NR)

OS 25" map (1961)

The present Wallace Tower was built in 1832 on the site of an earlier building of the same name. It is uncertain how the latter came by its name as it is invariably called the Auld Tower in the Town Records. An attempt in 1830 to re-face the old building failed for though its walls were of immense thickness, it had no sunk foundations and so it was removed. Originally a two-storey building, a belfry was added to it in 1731. It had probably been the town residence of Cathcart of Corbieston, and was bought by the burgh in 1673 from Adam Ritchie. (The Cathcart family existed before the mid-14th century, its last male representative died in 1547).

W Dodd 1972; Name Book 1855; J Stillie 1864; J Paterson 1847

There is no trace of the Auld Tower, a modern building, as stated, occupies the site.

Visited by OS (JLD) 28 December 1955