Smailholm Tower

About Smailholm Tower

Smailholm Tower occupies a commanding spot with clear views in all directions. It was originally built in the fifteenth century for the Pringle family. The building type is quite common in the Scottish Borders and is known as a Pele Tower. It evolved to meet the needs of a lawless and dangerous Borderland.
Later the Tower became the property of the Scott family and they lived in it until they moved to more modern and comfortable accommodation at Sandyknowe, the farmhouse below. It was here that the young Walter Scott came to stay with his relatives.
Ogilvie imagines how the Tower and its history inspired the imagination of the young boy in his poem Smailholm Tower