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Kirkhope is a crossbase tower and associated structures located in Peeblesshire, in the Scottish Borders. The monument stands approximately 500 metres west-south-west of Kirkhope itself, positioned on bedrock of the Gala Group, wacke deposits formed during the Telychian period of the Silurian. This geology, characteristic of the Borders region, provided local stone suitable for building.
The crossbase tower represents a distinctive form of Scottish fortification, particularly common in the Borders and southwest Scotland from the 15th century onwards. Such towers typically featured a square or rectangular plan with a broad base that narrowed as it rose, providing defensive strength at ground level whilst reducing weight and materials higher up. The associated structures at Kirkhope suggest a small domestic or agricultural complex rather than an isolated stronghold.
The site is protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Scotland reference SM3054, recognising its historical significance as evidence of medieval settlement and fortification patterns in the Scottish Borders. The tower's position within the Peeblesshire landscape reflects the strategic concerns of border communities during a period of considerable political instability in the region.
Kirkhope,crossbase,tower & associated structures 500m WSW of is a scheduled monument protected by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3054. View the official record →
Kirkhope is a crossbase tower and associated structures located in Peeblesshire, in the Scottish Borders. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland under reference SM3054.
Kirkhope,crossbase,tower & associated structures 500m WSW of 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 SM3054.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The Bank, settlement 485m SW of Kirkhope (0.2 km), Kirkhope,scooped homestead N of (0.6 km), Langhaugh,settlement 130m SSE of (0.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Kirkhope,crossbase,tower & associated structures 500m WSW of's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Kirkhope,crossbase,tower & associated structures 500m WSW of stands on Gala Group, bedrock that formed in the Telychian. The rock here is wacke.