Scheduled MonumentsScotlandElphinstone Tower,towerhouse
Towerhouse

Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse

Scotland
HES SM6318
Site type
Towerhouse
Nation
Scotland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Elphinstone Tower is a towerhouse located in East Lothian, Scotland, dating to the medieval period. The structure represents a characteristic form of fortified domestic architecture developed in lowland Scotland, designed to provide both residential accommodation and defensive capability for a landholding family. The tower survives as a substantial stone-built structure typical of its class, with the robust masonry and compact plan characteristic of Scottish towerhouses constructed during the late medieval period. Such structures served as important symbols of landholding authority and provided practical fortification during a period of considerable baronial and border instability in southern Scotland.

Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6318. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse?

Elphinstone Tower is a towerhouse located in East Lothian, Scotland, dating to the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM6318.

Who is responsible for protecting Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse?

Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Historic Environment Scotland — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Scotland. The official designation reference is SM6318.

What other scheduled monuments are near Elphinstone Tower,towerhouse?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Pathhead,Roman camps,enclosures and pit alignment (7.1 km), Hope,enclosure 300m SSE of (7.6 km), Play Hill, settlement (7.9 km).

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