Coxton Tower

Tower Houses in Scotland were built in two basic phases. The period 1571-1584 was well within the time scope of the 2nd, post reformation Tower house phase (Examples: - Claypotts 1569-88; Balbegno 1569; Menzies 1571-77; Megginch 1575; Brackie 1581; Greenknowe 1581; Torlquhon 1584-9; Fyvie 1582; Hillslap 1585).

In 1535 an Act of Parliament required every land owner over a certain value, had to build a tower or castle to defend his lands. The Tower was built beside Gallows hill on a raised beach, which commands an excellent view of the countryside. The sandstone used to build the tower came from Hopeman quarry by cart, and there was a barmkin wall creating a courtyard to the south and west. The first floor was accessed by means of a removable wooden ladder. After it was burnt, The Innes family wanted the structure to be fireproof, so probably using the original plans, constructed it entirely of stone, with each story's vault turning through 90° to distribute the weight evenly. The ground floor walls are 4½ feet thick. This version had a door going to in at the ground floor, the original, probably was accessed only by a narrow straight leading down from the first floor. Another feature of the tower were interconnecting hatched between each floor, so a pulley could be connected with ropes to haul materials up and down the tower without climbing the stairs. Each hatch was a large stone slab holding an iron ring in the centre of the floor.

The ground floor no longer has any connection with the first floor. During the 2nd World war, when some Canadians were stationed at Coxton, a wooden structure was erected inside to store coal. The two stone posts outside the tower were put there to stop lorries knocking into the tower at the same time.





At the entrance to the 1st floor, 9 feet above ground level, there is an iron yett to improve defence. This is certainly original to 1644, but just as after it was burnt, it was rebuilt to avoid this happening again. It is possible the yett was installed after 1635 when the door was broken down.
The first floor contains a chest, a pair of candle-snuffs, a tapestry and in the ajoining cupboard some kind of tools. The Chest that stays in the alcove belonged to James Deas, has nothing to do with the Tower.
On the second floor, you can find a deep locker in one of the window bays.
The third floor, possibly the owner's bedchamber, has two round covered turrets, and one square turret with drainage through gargoyles. This turret gives an excellent defensive view. The stairs occupy the fourth corner, which go anti-clockwise.

Only a few Tower houses were built after this date

King's College 1657

Leslie 1661

Clounniecrichton 1667

Lethendy 1678