Elphinstone Tower Airth

This is one of two Elphinstone Towers, the other being largely destroyed and in Lothian. The tower is in the Dunmore estate and accessible on foot, albeit unsigned. It is perhaps half of a tower built by one of the early Lords Elphinstone which suffered a partial collapse in relatively recent years. Sited on a rocky outcrop, it is unusual in size and location, and may be a surviving part of a much more impressive structure.

The surviving masonry at high level is suggestive of a late 16th century date, and it may be that the castle was rebuilt at some point. It seems probable that it was neither a standalone structure nor a rectangular tower, but what survives makes it impossible to confirm further. It may be that parts of the tower were demolished in the 19th century to make the (now demolished) church, but the tower remained at least partially in use until Dunmore Park was built in 1822.

It is pretty clear that the Elphinstone Tower has a complex architectural history beyond what might be expected at first glance, and is worthy of further investigation, particularly archaeological.

HES Canmore database entry