Lochar Tower

Lochar Tower, Dumfries And Galloway
Photo © Simon Lidwell, 9 February 2007

Alternative names: Bankend Castle; Isle Castle

A ruined fortified tower house near Bankend village, known as Lochar Tower, probably built in the 17th Century. Three walls still stand surrounded on 3 sides by Lochar Water. Probably rebuilt 1622.

--BANKEND OR ISLE CASTLE, DUMFRIESSHIRE.

A structure situated about two miles north from Caerlaverock, and close to the Lochar Water, which may be said to surround it on three sides. The remaining or south-west side is protected by a ditch, which still contains water. The site is on the skirts of the Lochar Moss.

The building is in a state of complete ruin, a considerable part of the south-west wall having fallen, but the corners as yet remain nearly of their original height. The interior is choked with debris almost as high as the first floor. The castle measures about 29 feet 2 inches by 22 feet, with a staircase tower projecting from the north-west front about 9 feet 4 inches. The doorway is in the re-entering angle, and has the usual bar-hole, with the recess for lamp adjoining. The walls are about 3 feet 4 inches thick, and on the ground floor (which appears to have been vaulted) are pierced with shot-holes on all sides except towards the Lochar Water, where there is a window about 18 inches wide. The shot-holes measure on the exterior 19 inches wide by 6 inches high. The doorway was defended by a hoarding, the corbels for supporting which still remain.

In the north-east wall is a panel. It contains the initials of Edward Maxwell of Isle, and Helen Douglas, his wife, with the crests of the respective families, and the date 1622.

There are traces of building on each bank of the Lochar, indicating that the tower may have been surrounded by walls.

THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND BY DAVID MACGIBBON AND THOMAS ROSS, 1889--