Tower of Hallbar
| Tower of Hallbar | |
|---|---|
| Braidwood, South Lanarkshire | |
The Tower of Hallbar, seen from the west.
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| Coordinates | 55°42′13″N 3°50′55″W / 55.7036°N 3.8485°WCoordinates: 55°42′13″N 3°50′55″W / 55.7036°N 3.8485°W |
| Type | Tower house |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Lockharts of Lee |
| Condition | Restored from 1998 |
| Site history | |
| Built | Mid-16th century |
| In use | Until 1984 |
The Tower of Hallbar, also known as Hallbar Tower and Braidwood Castle, is a 16th-century tower house, located to the west of the River Clyde in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The tower is situated above the Fiddler Burn, 3.5 km south-west of Carluke, and 1.5 km east of Crossford. It has recently been restored and is let out as holiday accommodation.
The barony of Braidwood was first granted to John de Monfod in 1326, by Robert the Bruce. In 1581, the barony was transferred to Harie Stewart of Gogar, brother of James Stewart of Bothwellmuir, who was briefly Earl of Arran during the insanity of the third earl, James Hamilton. The tower was recorded at this time, making it likely that it was built in response to James V's edict that "tours of fence" be built on all lands over £100 Scots in value.
Braidwood, and Hallbar with it, came into the possession of Lord Maitland of Thirlestane Castle, later passing through the hands of the Marquess of Douglas, before changing hands again in 1681, when it was bought by George Lockhart of Lee Castle, whose estate adjoined Braidwood to the south.
By the mid-19th century the tower was in ruins, but dereliction was prevented by Sir Norman Macdonald Lockhart Bt., the young laird of Lee, who had the tower restored by Dr D R Rankin of Carluke in 1861. The upper parts of the castle, including parapet, caphouse, gables and roof, were rebuilt at this time. The tower was then leased, generating income for the Lockharts. One notable tenant was the Rev. Neville Donaldson, minister of Glasgow Cathedral, who lived here during the 1950s and 1960s. The last tenant left in 1984, and the tower once again became semi-derelict, succumbing to vandalism.
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