Aikwood Tower was built during a time of cruelty, brutality, survival and sudden death the Border Reivers' Era. Almost 400 years of constant battles between England and Scotland left devastation, massacres and destruction on their path. The Borders, due to its geographical situation were constantly devastated by army troops; crops and habitations burnt, people slaughtered. To protect themselves and survive the Border Reivers attacked not only the English but also anybody who did not agree with them. They were more faithful to their family or clan than their country. Border Reivers were merciless racketeers, murderous pursuers of feuds, professional cattle thieves. Robbery and murder were every day occurrence, raiding became a way of life, even priests carried weapons. They had the belief that all property was common by law of nature. On horseback, with tunic/armour and metal helmet brandishing pikes, swords and later pistols they defended their territory, which extended from Biggar (in Scotland) to Yorkshire (UK).
Not only poor people were Reivers, wealthy ones and wardens who were supposed to maintain law and order joined in. They were very strong fearless people and were in great demand to protect the frontiers; they would get in exchange land and accommodation.
In 1603 King James VI of Scotland became King
James I of England. Wanting desperately to unify Scotland and England King James new laws were proclaimed and finally obeyed. The Border Reivers were now the enemy; land, horses, habitations, arms, cattle and horses were taken away from them. They could not longer own a horse unless it's value was fewer than 50 Schillings. The most famous Reivers were the Grahams, Armstrongs, Elliots, Routledges, Nixons and many others. They were separated and deported; some went to Ireland, England or the USA. President Nixon is a descendant of the Reivers so is Neil Armstrong (the first man on the moon).
Some Border Reivers decided to change camp and help the King to restore peace between the two nations, they were given the task to find the rest of the Reivers rebels and capture them. In exchange they would get the captured Reivers' lands and cattle. Nowadays their descendants are extremely wealthy, with titles and vast amount of land.
Aikwood tower was erected around 1535. These towers provided protection for the owner, most probably a 'Laird' or Lord, but it was also a status symbol the biggest equalled the wealthiest or the most powerful. Beacons were situated on towers tops and hillsides warning were given by fire. One beacon signalled raiders approaching, two they were approaching fast and four they rode at great strength. A memorandum dating back to the 15th century states that there are 14 perches 'pele or peel' towers made and 43 yet to make. Tall, gaunt, with little or no ornamentation they yet possess formidable strength and massive solidity. After such a long era of devastation most of these towers are in ruins but some, have been restored and can be visited.
Aikwood tower is no longer open to the public but curious to see the layout, I called the owner Lady Steel (wife of Sir David Steel, the last leader of the Liberal Party) and made an appointment to visit. It took them 10 years to complete the paperwork and only 4 months for the restoration. Restoration took place in 1992.
۞۞۞ SHORT VISIT ۞۞۞
Ground floor- exhibition hall, lobby (for coats etc) large kitchen 1st floor- the Laird private room, toilets, Great Hall 2nd floor- master bedroom, bathroom (roman style) 3rd floor- 2 bedrooms with bathrooms, laundry room 4th floor- attic room
۞۞۞ DETAILED VISIT ۞۞۞
We enter via the exhibition room were we can discover the life and works of James Hogg a local poet. This lovely spacious and tastefully decorated room was once the Bull Run!
We take a very narrow corridor leading to the lobby an old wooden door opens into the medieval gardens; we carry on through the narrow corridor. On the right, in the old barrel-vaulted space that would once been used to keep animals, a very spacious kitchen/dining room with arched bay windows can be found. In the ceiling I notice a large wooden hatch, which I was told, was used to pull hay to the higher floors using a pulley.
Back to the curving stone stairwell, there is a little round opening in the external wall on the right, just the size of a gun barrel (there are only two of these in the whole tower). Going up I locate what is called 'the fool step' it is a step deeper than the others to destabilise the person going up. During the 15th and 16th century you can imagine the noise these armoured men would make tripping on the fool step! Nowadays Lady Steel thinks it's a nuisance when you forget where it is situated.
1st floor: after climbing 20 steps, a wooden door on the right opens to the laird's or master's private room, a little adjacent oblong room was once upon a time a toilet. One more step up and we discover the great hall with a large chimney and exposed beams, little niches here and there to display trophies and of course windows with incredibly beautiful views of the countryside.
Back on the stone winding staircase, ten steps higher, and on the right, a little alcove would have given enough space for a lookout.
2nd floor: a magnificent roman style bathroom reflecting the past when, in the first century AD, there was a large Roman camp on the hills behind the tower. One more step and you will discover the master bedroom, very spacious with chimney and exposed beams.
Ten steps higher a little lookout alcove. Then four more step and we find
3rd floor: this floor is all in wood. On the right a large bedroom with en suite bathroom. On the left a laundry!!! Very surprised to see it on the 3rd floor I asked Lady Steel why? Her reply was 'everything you put in the washing machine usually comes from the bedrooms and I have a dryer next to it'. Next to the laundry is a bathroom, then a large bedroom with chimney.
Only a few more steps and we will reach the top of the tower but before engaging myself in the staircase Lady Steel pointed at a round dome situated at the summit of the stairs. This is our 'Time Capsule' she said. Apparently at the end of the restoration they immured poems about the tower, craftsman tools and different papers.
4th floor: a pyramidal attic room.
During my visit I was surprised not to find the tower cold or humid. I have not seen ghosts but perhaps I should have spent the night there.
There is another tower in the vicinity, smaller, Kirhhope tower, for sale offers over £390.000.
- 4 miles south west of Selkirk, Borders on the B7009 towards Moffat.
Drumlanrigs tower in Hawick which belongs to Borders Council, can be visited all year round, entrance fee £ 2.50. http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/features/featurefirst4920htmlHope you enjoyed the visit.
I'd look to visit - it sounds great! EEEE great review
jesi 29.01.2007 14:16
It
looks bleak from the outside ~ but probably lovely inside ~ the thick stone walls
help
stabilise temperature ~ cooler in summer and warmer in winter ~ I expect . . . I love the idea of the laundry being up where the washing is! Sounds like my kind of space! I understand about the claustrophobia, but the asthma? The stairs? or smells? or mustiness? as an asthmatic, I just wondered. ~~~~~ another wonderful review, Jo ~ ! ♥♥ ! ~ ........................................................... ~ jes ~ ! ♥♥ !
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