Archaeology Notes

Event ID 722738

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/722738

NT64NW 8 62795 45880

Bassendean Tower. A fragment about 15' high at the S end of Bassendean House is all that now remains. It is overgrown with ivy and supports a greenhouse, and represents a rectangular building 23' x 17'. In the SW angle is an old sundial with a monogram in the upper corner of the E face.

RCAHMS 1915, visited 1908.

NT 6281 4587. The remains of this tower are represented by a stretch of walling 6.5m long on the south and approx. 3.5m high, of massive construction in red sandstone, with a further stretch extending N. at right angles from its eastern end and are wholly incorporated in the later Bassendean House, the turret above this was added between 1940-55, when the ivy and the greenhouse were removed. The monogram on the sundial appears to be "AH", probably relating to one of the Homes.

Visited by OS(JFC) 23 February 1955.

Known as Bassendean, given to the Homes in 1583. (Information from Captain R G Home, Bassendean).

Is two years later than Greenknowe (Berwick 27 NW) which is dated 1581.

Visited by OS(JLD) 29 April 1955.

Reports by OS surveyors (JFC) and (JLD) confirmed.

Visited by OS(EGC) 29 August 1963.

Bassendean House remains in domestic occupation. Fragments of the tower-house that are visible in the later work include a fragment of a stair-tower (at first- or second-floor level near the SW angle) and a length of window-slot (low down on the S wall). The sundial that is built into the SW angle bears the date 1690, and the eroded datestone that is set over the front door appears to read 1874.

Visited by RCAHMS (RJCM/JRS) 30 September 1993.