Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/54

FOURTH PERIOD 38 SMAILHOLM TOWER keeps, and which we have already met with at Hallbar. There are however indications that this upper story is an addition. Fig. 505 shows the fireplace of the hall, with the corbels for carrying the floor above, and a side window with stone seats. In the Border Antiquities, vol. ii., Sir Walter Scott tells us that " the style of architecture and defence employed here and at Bemerside Tower, four miles distant, is that pointed out by an Act of the Scottish Parliament in 1535, where, among other preparations for defending his kingdom, it was the policy of James v. to increase the number of strong- holds upon the Borders, by compelling every proprietor of an hundred pound land of valuation to construct such a fortress as might be a place of refuge to his neighbours in case of invasion." Sir Walter adds " that there may be some doubt if the Act was ever enforced, for on the margin of the ream is marked the word ' Deleatur,' and again the word ' Non.'" Scott quotes the Act at length, page 15(7. As is well known, Sir Walter passed the years of his childhood near Smailholm, at the farmhouse of Sandyknowe, and, in an introductory epistle to Marmion, he gives a graphic description of the tower and the scenery around. Smailholm belonged for two hundred years from the beginning of the fifteenth century to the family of Pringle of Galashiels. In the early part of the seventeenth century it passed to the Scotts of Harden, and is now the property of Lord Polwarth. It is in a good state of pre- servation, and has had some repairs on its upper parts at no remote time. This tower is so plain that it is difficult to fix its date. Probably the walls are partly old, and the upper part may have been added about the end of the sixteenth century. LOCHHOUSE TOWER, DUMFRIESSHIRE. This tower, situated within a mile of Beattock Station, is a fair example of the Border pele. It stands on the brow of a slight hillock, two sides of which were formerly washed by a loch, which is now drained away (Fig. 506). The tower is 38 feet by 28 feet (Fig. 507), with walls 6 feet in thickness, rounded on the angles. The entrance door is placed in the east wall, so as to be convenient for the newel staircase in the north-east angle. The ground floor is vaulted, and provided with shot-holes. This floor could be used either as a refuge for cattle, or for stores. On the first floor is the hall (27 feet by 16 feet 6 inches), with a window in each wall. The second floor was probably all in one apartment, like the hall, and would form the private room of the proprietor. Above this was the parapet walk supported on corbels, and rounded at the angles, but without angle turrets. There