📌 Palnackie, Dumfries & Galloway
★★
🛠️ Site closed for masonry work (checked April 2024)
Sited among green fields south of the village of Palnackie, Orchardton Tower is a mid 15th century tower house. What makes it unique? It’s said to be the only circular one left in Scotland – probably excluding those later incorporated into larger buildings. Fortified residences in this shape used to be more popular in the 1200s, but were soon superseded by rectangular ones, offering more interior space and perhaps better protection from attacks. So for local laird John Cairns to have one constructed 200 years later is a bit strange… and we’ll probably never find out why. Climb the steps for good views across the surrounding farmland.
🌍 Location
📌 By minor road 1 mi south of Palnackie
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NX 817552
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 54.876838,-3.845259
🚌 Bus stops on A711 at B736 junction (1 mi)
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily, April to September; Saturday to Wednesday, October to March
🎫 Free
