Bonshaw Tower

Bonshaw Tower, shown in 2013

Bonshaw Tower is an oblong tower house, probably dating from the mid 16th century,[1] one mile south of Kirtlebridge, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, above the Kirtle Water.[2] It is adjacent to a 19th-century mansion.[2]

History

Bonshaw belongs to the Irving family. It was held in unbroken succession until the death of Sir Robert Beaufin Irving, a former captain of RMS Queen Mary, in 1954.[3]

Structure

The castle, which is habitable, has three storeys, and a garret,[2] with crow-stepped gables,[1] within a parapet.[2] The north-facing former attic light is now used as an open belfry.[1]

Inside a modern porch is the entrance door, with the motto SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA above.[2] There is a monogramed pendant boss within the doorway. ]].[1] A vaulted entrance passage in the thickness of the wall leads to a vaulted basement.[2] Each wall has a splayed shot-hole. The south-west angle contains a windowless dungeon, with a ventilation flue. There is a hatch in the vaulting to the first-floor Hall. From the north-east angle of the cellar a turnpike stair leads to all storeys of the tower.[2]

The Hall , has a wide fireplace and four windows. There are two aumbries in the jambs while a third aumbry has an ogival lintel.[2]

The bedroom, on the second floor, has a wall press and a garderobe. One of its four windows is high in the wall.[2]

There is a machicolated opening about each embrasure of the parapet, which is drained by gargoyled cannon-spouts. The present pitched slate rrof was installed in the early 19th century, as the flagstones of the original roof were removed to floor a farmhouse.[2]

It is a category A listed building.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bonshaw Tower". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 2013-11-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Lindsay, Maurice (1986) The Castles of Scotland. Constable. ISBN 0-09-473430-5 p.86, 87
  3. "Bonshaw Tower". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 2013-11-12.

Coordinates: 55°02′15″N 3°11′15″W / 55.0376°N 3.1875°W / 55.0376; -3.1875

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