Blackhall Manor, Medieval tower house in Paisley, Scotland.
Blackhall Manor is a stone tower house built in the medieval period that features thick walls constructed to withstand attacks and multiple floors connected by an internal spiral staircase. The structure was enlarged and modified over time, and today it functions as a private residence that retains its historic form.
The tower was built around 1160 by a Norman knight and served as an early stronghold in the region, establishing the site as an important fortified position. In 1396, the Scottish king granted the property to Sir John Stewart, reinforcing its status as a seat of power.
The location served as a seat of local power where important decisions affecting the surrounding area were made, and its role as an administrative center shaped how the community developed over centuries.
The property is a private residence and not open to the public, so visitors can only view the historic exterior from the outside. Visiting during daylight hours on clear days allows you to see the stone walls and architectural details most clearly.
Stone lions decorating the entrance came from a different historic Paisley building, and several window details were also taken from other local structures nearby. This practice of reusing architectural elements shows how builders preserved parts of older buildings by giving them new life in renovations and modifications.
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