Orchardton Tower History
Orchardton Tower is unique in Scotland, being the only example of a cylindrical tower house. It is solidly built of granite, and the rock foundations are bared at one point.
On the ground floor is a vaulted cellar, entered through an arched doorway. An external stairway leads to the first floor. The present door was originally a window, with the original entrance being rather low.
Within this chamber are a decorative aumbry or laver and carved stone, both thought to have been taken from an abandoned abbey like Tongland or Dundrennan. This room may have been converted into a private chapel. The great hall was located over the ruins to the east.
Orchardton was built for John Carnys (Cairns) around 1456. Ownership passed through an heiress in 1633 to the Maxwells, the most famous of which was Sir Robert Maxwell, an ardent Jacobite who was captured at Culloden. He is featured in Scott’s Guy Mannering.
Orchardton Tower Location
Directions: A711, Dumfries and Galloway DG7, UK