Annan
September 27, 2001
This morning we toured Caerlaverock Castle (pronounced Car-lav-er-ock) overlooking the Solway Firth. The estate at Caerlaverock was granted to Sir John De Maccuswell about 1220 with a castle being built, which was abandoned shortly thereafter and a new one built on the present site. The Castle was the principal seat of the Maxwell family and stayed with them for 400 years. Built of beautiful red sandstone, the castle is in the shape of a shield, with three sides round it, a tower at each corner and a double tower at the gate which was protected by a drawbridge over the inner moat. It figured in many of the Anglo-Scottish battles as well as those fought between the Scots. The castle was partially dismantled by the Covenanters after the 1640 siege. Today it exists as a romantic ruin under the care of Historic Scotland.
We then drove to Annan where we began our tour of Irving Country and the Irving Towers on the Kirtle Water with our kinsman, Dr. Bruce Irving of Bonshaw, who is knowledgeable about genealogy and history of this area. Our day included viewing the following sites which have been associated with the Irving family: Hoddam Castle, Robgill, Woodhouse, Stapleton and Cove. We also saw Repentance tower, the statue of Thomas Carlyle and his birthplace, the Arched House at Ecclefechan.
We joined Dr. Margaret Irving for drinks at Bonshaw and dinner at the Dryfesdale Country House Hotel, Dryfebridge, Lockerbie. We enjoyed seeing Bonshaw again. We greatly appreciated having Bruce with us for our two-day tour of Irving and Border Reiver country.
Bonshaw Tower
The Irvings of Bonshaw were Chiefs of the Border Irvings, a small clan that greatly increased in size and importance during the 16th century. The present stone tower was built in the late 1560s by Edward Irving. By this time the Irvings had become close allies of the Johnstons in their feud with the Maxwells. The tower is located about one-half mile SE Kirtlebridge. The site is naturally strong standing 70 ft. above the Kirtle Water on the east side and with a deep ravine on the south side. The other two sides probably had the usual outer defenses of ditch, rampart and palisade, which were finally destroyed when the present mansion was built and the gardens laid out in 1770.
Robgill Tower
In 1536 the Corries sold the lands of Robgill and Stapleton to William Johnston of Gretna. In 1547 Cuthbert Urwen of Robbgill is mentioned in records. The Irvings built the present tower with a design similar to that of Bonshaw but, presumably, at a later date. It stands on a cliff on the right bank of the Kirtle Water, about one mile SE Kirtlebridge.
Stapleton Tower
In November 1536, William Johnston alienated 'the lands of Stabiltoun' to Christopher Irving of Bonshaw. Stapleton tower is said to have been built by Edward Irvine probably around the time of the Irvings' local war with the Maxwells in 1585-86, or even later. The tower is located about 2 and 3/4 miles E-NE Annan, located on gently rising ground overlooking the Solway. Apparently any traces of fortifications were destroyed when a mansion was built; this mansion was demolished after World War II.
Woodhouse Tower
In 1574 John Johnston sold the lands called 'Wodhous Johnnestoun' to Edward Irving of Bonshaw. The tower dates from the latter part of the 16th century, most likely after the Irvings purchased the property. Woodhouse Tower stands above the Kirtle Water, almost opposite to Robgill and in full view of Bonshaw and Wyseby, only 3/4 mile upstream. For additional information on the Irving towers see The Border Towers of Scotland: the West March by Alastair M. T. Maxwell-Irving (2000).
