Torrance, Tower
Tower House (Medieval)(Possible), Coin(S) (Silver)
Site Name Torrance, Tower
Classification Tower House (Medieval)(Possible), Coin(S) (Silver)
Alternative Name(s) Brokentower
Canmore ID 45251
Site Number NS67SW 2
NGR NS 613 741
NGR Description NS c. 613 741
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/45251
- Council East Dunbartonshire
- Parish Baldernock (Strathkelvin)
- Former Region Strathclyde
- Former District Strathkelvin
- Former County Stirlingshire
NS67SW 2 613 741.
Gordon (1726) mentions a place called "the broken Tower". The identification of this place with the farmhouse now called Tower (at NS 613 741) is confirmed by Edgar's map (Nimmo 1777) on which the full name "Brokentower" appears (RCAHMS 1963). The farmer at Tower stated in 1860 that some foundations, resembling the remains of a castle, had been dug up to the E of the steading. Some silver coins had also been found on the property, though the exact find-spot was not known (Ordnance Survey Name Book [ONB] 1860).
There is nothing of archaeological interest in the present farmhouse, which dates to the late 18th, or more probably, early 19th century (RCAHMS 1963). Nothing of the Tower remained when Cameron had the site pointed out to him in 1890, though he states that what were probably foundations of associated outhouses were still extant. He adds that the tower existed before 1400.
A Gordon 1726; W Nimmo 1777; Name Book 1860; J Cameron 1892; RCAHMS 1963.
No further information.
Visited by OS (J F C) 15 February 1954.
Field Visit (June 1977)
Tower NS c. 613 741 NS67SW 2
There are no visible remains of a tower said to have stood at Tower, but in 1892 it was reported that 'remains of what were probably the foundations of the outhouses' were still to be seen. In 1860 the farmer stated that 'foundations resembling those of a castle' had been dug up to the E of the steading, and in 1726 Gordon noted 'the Mark of square stone buildings' at the N end of the possible Roman temporary camp NS67SW 25.
RCAHMS 1982, visited June 1977
(Gordon 1726, 21; Name Book, Stirling, No. 3, p. 31; Cameron 1892, 186-7; RCAHMS 1963, p. 107, No. 21; p. 358, No. 323)