Isle Tower, 400m NNE of Bankend, Medieval tower house in Caerlaverock, Scotland.
Isle Tower is a medieval stone tower house located 400 meters north-northeast of Bankend, standing near the Solway Firth coastline. The remains reveal thick walls typical of fortified residences, with visible openings that once served defensive and residential purposes.
The tower was built during Scotland's medieval period when coastal regions needed defensive structures against raids and invasions. It served local lords as both a family residence and a lookout point for monitoring activities across the Solway Firth.
The tower represents Scottish architectural traditions of the period, incorporating elements typical of defensive structures found throughout Dumfries and Galloway region.
The tower ruins sit in open terrain near Bankend and can be accessed by footpaths through the surrounding countryside, especially when exploring the Caerlaverock area. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable as the ground can be damp, and the coastal location means weather can change quickly.
The structure has been known by at least five different names throughout history: Bankend Tower, Greenhill Tower, Isle of Caerlaverock, Isle of Lochar, and Lochar Tower. This naming confusion reveals how local geography was described differently across centuries and documents in this remote corner of Scotland.
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