Hills Tower, 16th-century tower house in Lochrutton, Scotland.
Hills Tower is a four-story square stone structure with thick walls, paired windows, and a parapet walk lined with decorative corbels at its top. The ground floor contains vaulted cellarage while the first floor holds a hall with a working fireplace.
Edward Maxwell commissioned this structure in 1527 after acquiring the estate from James Douglas of Drumlanrig. This period saw Scottish noble families reinforcing their lands with new defensive buildings.
The heraldic panel at the entrance displays the arms of Edward Maxwell and Janet Carson, marking the union of two prominent Scottish families. Such decorative markers show how families displayed their connections and status through the building itself.
The tower sits about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southwest of Dumfries in countryside and is accessible by local roads. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear since the approach includes natural ground paths around the structure.
The site retains its original defensive walls and gatehouse, which together with the main tower created a complete protected compound. Decorative mock cannon gargoyles positioned above the corbel course add a playful defense reference that catches visitors off guard.
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