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Archaeology Notes
Event ID 720156
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Archaeology Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/720156
NT64SW 5.00 63956 42846
NT64SW 5.01 NT 639 428 Cultivation remains
(NT 6395 4284) Greenknowe Tower (NR) (remains of)
OS 6" map, (1968).
Greenknowe Tower was built by Sir James Seton in 1581 (the date is inscribed on the lintel above the entrance). It stands on a low grassy knoll, originally defended by marshy ground on all sides. (Lyal alleges that it was surrounded by a moat, remains of which can still be seen.) It was habitable up till the early 19th century and is now a well-preserved ruin on the L-plan, with a main block measuring some 24 ft by 15 ft, and a wing at the NE measuring 15 ft 6 ins by 10 ft 4 ins (see plan). The main block now stands four storeys in height, the wing a storey higher. Three of the angles are surmounted by small turrets with gun-loops, and in the re-entrant angle above the first floor rises a stair-turret.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1889; RCAHMS 1915, visited 1912; N Tranter 1962; M Lyal 1962; A M T Maxwell-Irving 1974; RCAHMS 1980, visited 1979.
Repairs have been carried out by the D o E to preserve the remains of this tower.
Visited by OS (JD) 23 May 1955.
The remains of this tower are as described above. A rectangular portion of a stone wall, 0.8 m wide and 0.4 m high, enclosing a small paved area with steps leading off the N side, has been revealed 15.0 m NE of the NE corner of the tower; another portion of paving has been cleared in the re-entrant angle. The grassy knoll on which the tower stands appears to have been landscaped in places to give it a flattish top.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 18 November 1963.
Re-excavation within the courtyard of Greenknowe Tower revealed the disturbed footings of a stables to the NE of the tower. Final excavation to the N showed extensive damage to other buildings by stone-robbing in the late 19th century. Artefacts found include a hardhead of Mary, countersunk in 1572.
C J Tabraham 1979.
Greenknowe Tower which stands on a knoll to the W of Greenknowe, is a Guardianship monument, signposted and open to the public. It is in a good state of repair, and the datestone of 1988 that is carved into the garret dates the latest restoration. There appear to have been no defensive earthworks.
Visited by RCAHMS (RJCM, JRS) 30 September 1993.
Earthworks (non-defensive) and cultivation remains visible on J Dent aerial photographs.
Information from RCAHMS (KM) 25 September 1995.
