Aikwood Tower, 16th-century tower house in Scottish Borders, Scotland.
Aikwood Tower is a 16th-century stone tower in the Scottish Borders featuring five en suite bedrooms, a Great Hall with a fireplace, and thick walls built for defense. The interior displays traditional architectural elements that show how such buildings served both as defensive structures and family homes.
The tower was built in 1535 and served as a defensive structure against raids in the border region until the late 18th century. After that period, it was converted and used for storage before undergoing significant restoration in more recent times.
The tower reflects how people in the Scottish Borders built their homes for protection and defense, with thick stone walls and simple interior spaces designed for both family living and safety. Walking through the rooms gives a sense of what daily life looked like in this region during medieval times.
The tower is located about one hour south of Edinburgh and is easily accessible by car. As accommodation, it can host up to ten guests and has spaces available for events with up to sixty people.
A prominent politician undertook extensive restoration work in the 1990s, transforming the medieval structure into a contemporary living space. This modernization respected the original structures and demonstrated how old fortified buildings can be revived for modern use.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
