Smailholm Tower was originally built in the 15th century or early 16th century by the Pringle family. It was designed, in common with all Scottish peel towers, to provide its occupants with protection from sporadic English raids. The tower was attacked by English soldiers in 1543, 1544 and again in 1546, when the garrison of Wark Castle sacked the tower and carried off prisoners and cattle. The castle was successfully defended against the English in 1640, by Sir Andrew Ker of Greenhead.

Smailholm was obtained by the Scotts of Harden around this time. The Scotts – ancestors of Sir Walter – rebuilt parts of the tower and barmkin. In the 18th century the tower decayed, following the family's move into nearby Sandyknowe. The last owner, the Earl of Ellesmere, handed the property into state care in 1950. It was restored in the 1980s, and now operates as a museum.

Smailholm was a relatively small tower house, offering around 200 m2 of floorspace, later extended by construction of a hall house and second kitchen within the barmkin, or courtyard. The rectangular tower is of four storeys, situated on top of a rocky outcrop.

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Founded: 15th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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User Reviews

Mark Pringle (3 months ago)
You have to book tickets in advance online. We didn’t know this but enjoyed the visit anyway. Had a good walk around and fascinated by the design and structure of the 15th Century Tower. The other reason is being a Pringle I am on a road of ancestry.
Wayne Temblett (3 months ago)
Amazing sight if you're interested in Border reiver and Sir Walter Scott related history. The steward was a great bloke, friendly and informative.
Sean Wanless (6 months ago)
Very small site over 4 floors.. Every floor has something to stop and look at/read.. You have to drive along farm tracks to get to it but it's well worth the drive... Special thanks to Paul the guy who works there for filling us in with a lot of the history surrounding the place. Believe me when you get to the top and go outside onto the turrets you'll be glad you made the journey the views are spectacular.. Just wish the weather had been a bit kinder the day we went. Don't buy your ticket online just turn up.. They'll always let you in we were told?
Stephanie Harris (14 months ago)
Lovely place, but a bit of a hike to get there. There's only a path in the grass to get to the tower. And you must ascend steep spiral staircases. A lot of fun exploring the different levels and the fairy and superstition folklore. We spend about an hour and it is included in Historical Scotland past, but must reserve ahead of time. The views at the top of the tower are breathtaking.
Anthony Murray (15 months ago)
Amazing tower/castle defo worth the visit such amazing views from the top of it. Their is a charge to enter worth the cost in my opinion £7.50 but if you have a explorer pass it’s free entry it’s worth getting if your visiting many places in same week. Their is a small car park nearby well maintained but their is no access for disabled. Bring some good boots short walk on grass/muddy if raining and uphill :)
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