[MR] Wikipedia: Hills Tower

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

How could I pass a good post about Scotland? Well, I can't. Commenting upon
a minor border castle might not seem important, but Hills Tower is one of
the most complete tower houses in Scotland, and is especially notable since
it still has a *barmkin* wall and fortified gatehouse. As such it is an
excellent example of a 15th-17th century fortified manor found
throughout much of Scotland, and also seen on the English side of the
border.

Hills Tower is located near the village of Lochrutton and ten miles from
Dumfries in southern Scotland. The structure's core dates from around 1527,
and was built by Edward Maxwell, from the famous (or infamous) "riding
family" of that name. In short, the Maxwells were border reivers, engaged
in what was politely called "cattle lifting", or (mostly) cross-border
rustling. They also dabbled in wholesale theft of anything else not nailed
down, extortion, kidnapping, occasional murders, and any other sort of
mayhem for their profit or amusement. Maxwells were also Catholic
recusants, thus supporters of Mary Queen of Scots. The clan engaged in a
long-running feud with the Johnstones of Lockerbie, as well as feuding with
the powerful Douglas clan.

With so many enemies, Edward Maxwell needed a manor with strong defences.
The tower covers an area of 30 by 24 feet, with the lower walls over four
feet thick. A single door opens off the courtyard, protected by an iron
*yett* or gate (now lost). The walls rise to 45 feet, with three stories
above the ground floor. A small "cap house" on the roof surrounded by a
crenelated parapet completes the tower. The interior features a "turnpike"
stair, and two upper floors each have a garderobe. All the comforts of
home, and defenses too!

The *barmkin* wall surrounds an area approximately 65 by 57 feet. The
wall is approximately three feet thick, and 12 feet high. It is pierced by
a single gate set in a small tower fitted with gun loops. The gate itself
is also protected by an iron yett.

Hills Tower has been continuously occupied since it was built, and remains
largely unchanged, except for a 1721 addition.

You can see images of Hills Tower at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hills_Tower .

Yours Aye,

Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
(Who knows better than to feud with the Maxwells!)