Clan Rising
Aikwood Tower today

Scotland · Restored

Aikwood Tower

Aikwood Tower is a 16th-century Scottish tower house on the Ettrick Water, about 6 km southwest of Selkirk. Built in the early-to-mid 1500s, the stone tower rises four storeys plus an attic and was restored in the 1990s; it is used as a private residence and event venue.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1540

Today

Restored

As it stood in 1540

What Aikwood Tower looked like in its prime.

A rectangular 16th-century stone tower rising four storeys with an additional attic, built of rough grey rubble with occasional red sandstone window surrounds. Small square and rectangular windows are set directly into thick plain walls; a steep slate roof carries paired tall stone chimneys and small gabled dormers at attic level. No encircling curtain wall is visible in the photo; the tower sits above a gravel forecourt, low drystone boundary walls and clipped hedges, backed by wooded slopes beside the Ettrick Water.

Its story

The story of Aikwood Tower.

Aikwood Tower, formerly Oakwood Tower, stands on the Ettrick Water four miles southwest of Selkirk. The property was granted to Robert Scott by King James V in 1517, and the tower was likely built soon afterwards, possibly as early as 1535; it rises four storeys and an attic and is Category A listed.

Lord Steel purchased the property from the Duke of Buccleuch in the late 1980s and restored the tower in the 1990s. It is now owned by his son Rory and his wife, who run it as a private holiday home and wedding venue.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1540.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Aikwood Tower, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Gravel forecourt approach with drystone wallView from the Ettrick Water riverbankClose-up of east façade and masonryLooking up at roofline, chimneys and dormersLow walled garden and enclosing hedge

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Whose castle

Clans who held Aikwood Tower.

The families that held Aikwood Tower for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Scott

    Granted to Robert Scott by King James V in 1517; the tower was built soon after.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Aikwood Tower.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, ScotlandChurchRosslyn Chapel, Roslin40 km away

Questions about Aikwood Tower

What is the history of Aikwood Tower?

Aikwood Tower was built in the 16th century after the property was granted to Robert Scott by King James V in 1517. The tower was likely built soon afterwards, possibly as early as 1535. It was later abandoned as a dwelling and used as a farm store, before being restored in the early 1990s and renovated in 1992.

Why was Aikwood Tower built, and what was it used for?

Aikwood Tower was built as a tower house after Robert Scott received the property from King James V in 1517. Its original purpose was connected with the property granted to Scott. It later ceased to be a dwelling and was used as a store on the adjoining farm.

Who owns Aikwood Tower now?

Aikwood Tower is now owned by Rory Steel and his wife. They operate it as a private holiday home and wedding venue. The property was previously purchased from the Duke of Buccleuch by Lord Steel in the late 1980s.

Does anyone live at Aikwood Tower now?

Yes, Aikwood Tower is used as a private residence. Rory Steel and his wife operate it as a private holiday home and wedding venue. Lord Steel and his wife previously lived there for twenty years, from 1992 to 2012.

Where is Aikwood Tower?

Aikwood Tower is in the Scottish Borders, about 6 kilometres southwest of Selkirk, beside the Ettrick Water. It stands on the Ettrick Water, four miles southwest of the town of Selkirk. The tower is in Scotland's Scottish Borders area.

When was Aikwood Tower built?

Aikwood Tower was built in the 16th century. The property was granted to Robert Scott in 1517, and the tower was likely built soon afterwards, possibly as early as 1535. The exact date of completion is not known.

Which family or clan held Aikwood Tower?

The Scott family held Aikwood Tower after the property was granted to Robert Scott by King James V in 1517. The tower was built soon afterwards. This is the recorded family connection for the property.

What did Aikwood Tower look like in its prime?

Aikwood Tower is a rectangular stone tower rising four storeys with an additional attic. It is built of rough grey rubble, with occasional red sandstone window surrounds and small windows set into thick plain walls. A steep slate roof carries paired tall stone chimneys and small gabled dormers.

Is Aikwood Tower still standing or is it a ruin?

Aikwood Tower is still standing and has been restored. The tower was restored in the 1990s, with the work described as taking place in the early 1990s and including renovation in 1992. It is a Category A listed building and rises over four storeys with an additional attic level.

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