Sauchie Tower
I’m always astonished how such buildings can survive for so long, often tucked away in odd corners, in many instances hidden off road, away from the main thoroughfares. Decades pass, centuries even, and despite politics, battles, climate change and misguided planning decisions, such structures weather everything life throws at them.
According to the information board, the date is vague, but the belief is the tower was built a little after 1412. It was a far grander affair as the drawings on the board illustrate, with a new house built alongside in 1631. Fortunately for us, the tower survived. By the end of the nineteenth century the house was in collapse, with it finally being demolished in 1930.
There has been some restoration work of the tower since the 1980’s, with a community group being formed in 2002 to move the restoration project forwarded. The excavation in 2005 revealed a good deal of the remains of the house, with a section of the cobbled courtyard, along with evidence of the hall and kitchen with fireplace. Like many structures, funding and time are challenging and with so many competing priorities, I understand why such buildings are barely holding their own as the years pass. Hopefully, further remedial work can be completed in future and keep the building for future generations to enjoy.
I’ve been fortunate to have visited the tower during the Doors Open Day in September. This is a regular date on the calendar and for Sauchie Tower, is the only day you can enter and see inside. (The board notes it is also open during Scottish Archaeology Month, but I don’t know if that information is up to date). There is not much to see, but I enjoy the experience, reflecting on the stories the walls could tell if only they could speak.
I think this is the wettest summer on record in Scotland. I know we are known for our wet climate, but this year has been exceptional. I’m so pleased I got what we describe as a ‘cracking day’ to visit the tower and take a few photographs. Sometimes a moody, dreich image, in black and white, can look good, but I’m pleased there was bright blue sky and a healthy dose of the sun’s rays on the tower that day.
The Fiction Factory 