Standing Building Recording

Date 16 February 2011

Event ID 961581

Category Recording

Type Standing Building Recording

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/961581

The Forestry Commission commissioned AOC Archaeology Group to undertake an historic buildings survey of Nether Horsburgh Tower in Innerleithen in the Scottish Borders in advance of a wider programme of consolidation and repair work on the building, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Nether Horsburgh Tower - not to be confused with Horsburgh Tower or Castle a few miles to the west - dates back to the mid-late 16th century, possibly the early 17th century, and is thought to have either been constructed by the Horsburgh family or later the Stewarts of Schillinglaw, who purchased the lands of Nether Horsburgh in the early 17th century. It is not known exactly when the tower was abandoned, although it now stands as a complete roofless ruin, with only three walls standing and the ground floor, which once would have had a stone vaulted roof, completely collapsed in. The ground level of around the tower has also been built up considerably, although immediately to the north-east are the remains of a much wider settlement around the castle. A further extension of the castle is also believed to have extended further to the east, as can be seen in the east wall to the south, where the wall has collapsed. The Level 4 survey included a programme of detailed archive research, written and photographic record together with a 3D scan of the tower producing 2D plans, elevations and sections and 3D flythroughs.

Archive: RCAHMS (intended)

Funder: Forestry Commission Scotland

AOC Archaeology Group, 2011

Information also reported in Oasis (aocarcha1-104315) 19 June 2013