Smailholm Tower

About this place

Compact 15th-century tower house on a rocky knoll near Kelso, with far-reaching Border views.

This compact 15th-century tower house sits on a rocky knoll near Kelso, its stark, defensible design typical of the fortified homes built by Border families during centuries of cross-border raiding. Sir Walter Scott spent time as a child at a nearby farm and later drew heavily on the tower and the Border ballads associated with the area in his own writing, giving it a literary as well as a military history. The climb to the top rewards visitors with far-reaching views across the surrounding Border hills. There's an admission charge, and the narrow spiral stair makes it unsuitable for buggies or wheelchairs.

Make a day of it — within 5km