Repentance Tower

Repentance Tower is a three-story stone structure featuring gun loops and small windows, with its entrance positioned at ground level. The building displays typical features of a defensive watchtower designed to monitor activity in the border region.

John Maxwell built the tower in 1565 using stone from a nearby chapel that was demolished shortly after. This construction reflects how border fortifications were quickly assembled from available materials during unsettled times.

Local stories connect this tower to tales of border raids and feuds that shaped life in the region for centuries. These narratives still influence how people understand the tower's place in their landscape today.

Reaching the tower involves walking across sloping fields with grazing animals, so sturdy footwear is important. Conditions can be challenging after heavy rain, so expect muddy ground and uneven terrain.

The word Repentance remains carved in stone above the entrance, but the true origin of this name remains unclear. Over centuries, visitors and scholars have proposed different theories about what this inscription might signify.

Location: Dumfries and Galloway

Location: Cummertrees

Inception: 1565

GPS coordinates: 55.03751,-3.32372

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:06