Bonshaw Tower, Tower house in Annan, Scotland
Bonshaw Tower is a rectangular stone structure that rises three stories with distinctive crow-stepped gables and defensive features along its top. The main entrance is vaulted, and the interior contains period chambers with original fireplaces and traces of its fortified design.
Built around 1565, the tower was designed to defend against English attacks along the border region. The Irving family maintained it as their residence through many centuries before leaving in the middle of the 20th century.
The entrance bears a Latin inscription that reflects the family's faith, and the vaulted passages lead to chambers showing how residents lived within these stone walls. The spaces reveal daily routines and the importance of religious expression in the household.
The tower sits within landscaped grounds and woodlands along a river, making it accessible for visitors of varying mobility levels on the main paths. The interior spaces involve climbing narrow staircases and ducking through low doorways, so proper footwear and flexibility are helpful.
An original prison chamber hidden in the basement offers a rare glimpse into how landowners once administered justice on their own property. A corridor linking the tower to a Victorian mansion, built in the 1890s, shows how the site evolved when new buildings were added.
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