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Architecture Notes
Event ID 863259
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Architecture Notes
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/863259
Description:
Ruined L-plan tower house. Jamb survives to full height, with crow-stepped gables and stone-slabbed roof, only fragments of tower walls survive and these show signs of rebuilding.
Coursed rubble, with ashlar dressings. Door in re-entrant angle, chamfered openings light stair, larger openings and
flight-holes at top level, (converted in 19th century as dovecot and as a study, circa 1950). Wall extends obliquely
from W side (stone mask set above angle) with gateway, outer lintel dated 1663, inner lintel dated 1714.
Elliptical marble memorial to Pearce Smith who died in Naples, 1797.
Notes:
Inscribed lintels also bear initials of members of the Bell family.
1404 incised date is bogus. Said to be home of Bell, who killed "fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lea" (although contradicted
in Groome GAZETTEER, n.d. 2nd ed vol IV pp 417-8).
References:
RCAHM, INVENTORY OF DUMFRIES, 1920. no 460.
De-listed September 2009
Information from Historic Scotland.
