Greenknowe Tower

A fortified 16th-century tower house where Renaissance ambition meets Borders landscape.

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Greenknowe Tower

Greenknowe Tower is a striking 16th-century L-plan tower house built in 1581 by James Seton near Gordon in the Scottish Borders. Though roofless, its well-preserved stonework showcases late Renaissance defensive architecture with thick walls, gun-holes, and a single fortified entrance. Now a Scheduled Ancient Monument in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, this hilltop ruin offers a compelling glimpse into Renaissance-era Scottish domestic and military design, set within the pastoral landscape of the Borders.

A brief summary to Greenknowe Tower

Gordon, GB
Visit website
Duration: 0.75 to 2 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 3 out of 5

Local tips

Visit in clear weather to fully appreciate the tower's hilltop setting and the panoramic views across the Scottish Borders landscape. The exposed stonework is best photographed in soft morning or late afternoon light.
Bring binoculars to examine the gun-holes and defensive features from a distance, and study the lintel inscription above the entrance which carries the date 1581 and family heraldry.
Allow time to walk around the tower's perimeter to appreciate the L-plan design and the natural mound upon which it stands. The surrounding landscape reveals why this location was chosen for defence.
Combine your visit with exploration of nearby Gordon village and other Borders heritage sites to contextualise Greenknowe within the region's rich medieval and Renaissance history.
Check weather conditions before visiting, as the exposed hilltop location can become windy and muddy after rain. Wear sturdy footwear suitable for uneven ground.

Getting There

Car via A6105

From Kelso town centre, take the A6105 north toward Gordon. Greenknowe Tower is located approximately 3 kilometres west of Gordon village. Follow the A6105 through Gordon and watch for signage directing to the tower. Parking is available in a small lay-by near the site entrance. Journey time from Kelso is approximately 10–15 minutes. The final approach involves a short walk across open ground to reach the tower on its mound.
Bus and walking

Regional bus services connect Kelso and other Borders towns to Gordon village. Services run several times daily but with limited frequency; check local timetables in advance. From Gordon village, Greenknowe Tower is approximately 3 kilometres west. The walk takes 35–45 minutes along country roads and field paths. The terrain is generally accessible but can be muddy after rain. Wear sturdy footwear and bring waterproof clothing.
Taxi from Kelso

Local taxi services operate from Kelso and nearby towns. A taxi journey from Kelso town centre to Greenknowe Tower takes approximately 15–20 minutes and costs roughly £15–25 depending on the operator. This option is practical for visitors without access to a car or those preferring not to drive on rural roads.
Walking from Tweedbank station

Tweedbank railway station, served by the Borders Railway, is approximately 15 kilometres from Greenknowe Tower. A taxi or local bus connection is necessary from the station to reach the tower, as the walking distance is not practical for most visitors. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour total travel time from the station including any waiting time for onward transport.

Greenknowe Tower location weather suitability

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Discover more about Greenknowe Tower

A Renaissance Fortress Built for Family and Defence

Greenknowe Tower stands as a remarkable survivor of 16th-century Scottish architecture, constructed in 1581 by James Seton, a minor landowner with connections to the powerful Gordon family through his marriage to Janet Edmonstone. The tower's lintel above the main entrance carries the date of construction alongside the shields of both the Seton and Edmonstone families, with the initials IS and IE—where the I's represent J's in period notation. This inscription serves as both a signature and a statement of dynastic pride, marking the moment when two families united their fortunes in stone. The Seton family's ownership of Gordon lands stretched back centuries, having married into the Gordon family whose own estate had been granted by Malcolm II in 1018. By the time Greenknowe was built, the family had accumulated sufficient wealth and status to commission a substantial residence that balanced domestic comfort with formidable defence. The tower originally stood as the centrepiece of a large enclosure surrounded by a protective stone wall, with associated outbuildings that would later be dismantled by locals seeking building stone after the tower fell into disuse in the late 19th century.

Architectural Design and Defensive Innovation

Greenknowe exemplifies the L-plan tower design, comprising a main block of four storeys measuring approximately 10.5 metres by 7 metres, with walls an impressive 1.2 metres thick. A stair wing on the east side rises to five storeys, projecting 3.3 metres and measuring 4.5 metres wide. This configuration provided both residential space and defensive advantage, allowing occupants to monitor approaches from multiple angles. The walls are perforated with numerous gun-holes, or ruin-holes, that gave defenders clear sightlines in every direction—a critical feature in an era when firearms were becoming central to fortification strategy. Access to the tower was restricted to a single door positioned in the re-entrant angle where the two wings meet. This entrance was defended by a solid wooden door backed by a yett, an iron grill designed to provide secondary protection and prevent attackers from simply burning through the wooden barrier. The tower itself was situated on a low natural mound originally surrounded by marshy ground, creating a natural moat that further enhanced its defensive position. Every element of Greenknowe's design reflects the Seton family's determination to create a residence that could withstand assault while maintaining the dignity and comfort expected of a minor landowner's home.

Centuries of Ownership and Decline

The tower's history did not end with the Seton family. In the 1600s, Greenknowe was purchased by the Pringle family of Stichel, whose most notable resident was William Pringle, a committed Covenanter whose religious convictions shaped the turbulent politics of 17th-century Scotland. The Pringles maintained the tower through the 18th century, but by 1850 it had been abandoned, left to the elements and the slow work of decay. For nearly a century, Greenknowe stood empty and deteriorating, a romantic ruin on its hilltop, until the Dalrymple family recognised its historical significance and placed it in state care in 1937, contributing funds toward its consolidation and preservation.

Modern Stewardship and Archaeological Significance

Today, Greenknowe Tower is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument and remains in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, ensuring its protection for future generations. The tower's roofless condition, while preventing interior exploration, has paradoxically aided preservation by preventing water accumulation and allowing the stonework to weather naturally. The absence of a roof also permits visitors to appreciate the full height of the structure and the complexity of its internal spatial arrangement, from the ground-floor vaults to the upper chambers where the Seton family once lived. The tower's position on its isolated mound, visible for considerable distances across the Borders landscape, continues to command attention and respect, a testament to the ambitions and resources of a Renaissance-era Scottish family.

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