Shaw Monument, Stone folly tower in Prestwick, Scotland.
Shaw Monument is a stone tower with a rectangular base near Prestwick, standing about 40 feet (12 meters) tall and built from rubble masonry. The structure has a solid, simple form that stands out in the flat landscape, with a carved decorative panel at ground level.
The tower was built in 1775 by Richard Oswald of Auchincruive as an observation post for his wife Mary Ramsay to watch fox hunts from above. The site sits on ancient lands where archaeological finds suggest human presence dating back thousands of years.
The carved panel at the base shows a man holding a falcon, reflecting the aristocratic hunting traditions of the Scottish countryside. This imagery tells visitors about the leisure pursuits that defined wealthy families in this region.
The tower is visible from outside and stands in an open landscape with good views of the surroundings. The interior cannot be accessed as the entrance has been sealed for many decades, so visitors can only see the exterior structure.
The name references the former Prestwickshaws lands where it stands, a detail often overlooked when visiting the site today. This connection reveals how the monument sits within a complex landscape history of ownership and use.
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