An eccentric castellated tower assembles reused medieval and early-modern stonework into a remarkable Gothick landmark.
Quick facts
- Date
- Possibly 1785; restored and incorporated into a house in 1864
- Architect / designer
- Possibly William Jamieson; restored for Hugh Paton
- Type
- Gothick summerhouse and architectural fragment collection
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB27271)
- OS grid reference
- NT 30617 74166
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
The three-stage octagonal tower has pointed openings, a crenellated parapet and a stair turret. Romanesque chevron, late-Gothic shafts, fireplace fragments, carved shields and putti are deliberately recomposed across its rubble walls.
Its story
The tower was probably built around 1785 as a summerhouse for lawyer John Cunningham, using architectural fragments gathered from demolished buildings. Hugh Paton restored it in 1864 and incorporated it into a larger house.
Why it is included
The Category B tower captures antiquarian collecting, picturesque design and the creative reuse of displaced historic stone.
What to notice
- Octagonal plan and crenellated parapet.
- Reused Romanesque and late-Gothic fragments.
- Carved motto, shields and figures set into the walls.
Reading the surroundings
The tower is part of private premises. View only from lawful public space and do not enter, touch the embedded sculpture or assume that adjoining businesses provide heritage access.
Timeline
- Possibly 1785 John Cunningham commissioned an antiquarian Gothick summerhouse.
- 1864 Hugh Paton restored the neglected tower and joined it to a house.
- 1970 Category B listing recognised the unusual architectural assemblage.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The 1785 date and attribution to William Jamieson remain qualified rather than certain.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: The Tower, Figgate Lane, LB27271 — Designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove: The Tower, Figgate Lane — National record identity, mapped location, archive resources and bibliography.
Location
OS grid reference NT 30617 74166 · Location confidence: High: the national designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference; the independent source confirms the Place relationship, history or current identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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