Tower of Hallbar
Encyclopedia
The Tower of Hallbar, also known as Hallbar Tower and Braidwood Castle, is a 16th century tower house
, located to the west of the River Clyde
in South Lanarkshire
, Scotland
. The tower is situated above the Fiddler Burn, 3.5 km south-west of Carluke
, and 1.5 km east of Crossford
. It has recently been restored and is let out as holiday accommodation.
was first granted to John de Monfod in 1326, by Robert the Bruce
. In 1581, the barony was transferred to Harie Stewart of Gogar
, brother of James Stewart of Bothwellmuir
, who was briefly Earl of Arran
during the insanity of the third earl, James Hamilton
. The tower was recorded at this time, making it likely that it was built in response to James V
's edict that "tours of fence" be built on all lands over £100 Scots in value.
Braidwood, and Hallbar with it, came into the possession of Lord Maitland of Thirlestane Castle
, later passing through the hands of the Marquess of Douglas, before changing hands again in 1681, when it was bought by George Lockhart
of Lee Castle
, whose estate adjoined Braidwood to the south.
By the mid 19th century the tower was in ruins, but dereliction was prevented by Sir Norman Macdonald Lockhart Bt., the young laird of Lee, who had the tower restored by a Dr D R Rankin of Carluke in 1861. The upper parts of the castle, including parapet, caphouse, gables and roof, were rebuilt at this time. The tower was then leased, generating income for the Lockharts. One notable tenant was the Rev. Neville Donaldson, minister of Glasgow Cathedral
, who lived here during the 1950s and 60s. The last tenant left in 1984, and the tower once again became semi-derelict, succumbing to vandalism.
Hallbar is still owned by the Lockharts of Lee
, but in 1998 a lease was agreed with the Vivat Trust, a historic buildings preservation trust. The trust agreed to restore and convert the Tower for use as holiday accommodation.
The parapets walks are corbelled, as is an oriel window in the south gable. A projecting garderobe was also added on the west wall in the 19th century. Within the outer face of the north gable is a dovecot, formerly accessed via a timber walkway from a high level door. The chimney runs behind the pigeon holes, ensuring the birds were kept warm in winter.
To the south of the castle, a barmkin or courtyard, approximately 30m by 13m, was originally surrounded by a stone wall. It is likely that the first floor doorway was accessed from a walkway on top of the courtyard wall.
The renovation of 1998 has been sensitively carried out, with few major alterations. The vaulted cellar now contains a kitchen, while a bathroom has been installed on the second floor, now subdivided into two rooms and a passage. Other works were carried out to strengthen the stone walls, and to reduce the weight of the roof. In the hall, the ceiling was painted with a medieval design incorporating the Lockhart arms.
The tower is a category A listed building, while the ground to the south, which may once have formed a barmkin
, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument
. The tower itself was de-scheduled to allow the conversion works to go ahead. As of 2006, there is a house at Carluke High School named after the tower, although - for unknown reasons - the school spells it as 'Halbar'.
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
, located to the west of the River Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
in South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of the former county of Lanarkshire. It borders the south-east of the city of Glasgow and contains many of Glasgow's suburbs, commuter towns and smaller villages....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The tower is situated above the Fiddler Burn, 3.5 km south-west of Carluke
Carluke
The town of Carluke lies in the heart of the Lanarkshire countryside in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, 5.4 miles northwest of Lanark and 4 miles southeast of Wishaw....
, and 1.5 km east of Crossford
Crossford, South Lanarkshire
Crossford is a village in South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Crossford lies on the A72 road, alongside the River Clyde north west of Lanark and south east of Hamilton, South Lanarkshire. It is home to two pubs and a village shop. The nearest primary school is situated just out of Crossford whilst the...
. It has recently been restored and is let out as holiday accommodation.
History
The barony of BraidwoodBraidwood, South Lanarkshire
Braidwood is a small village near Carluke, in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. The medieval barony of Braidwood included the Tower of Hallbar.Braidwood House, former seat of Lord Clydesmuir, is one of the major local landmarks...
was first granted to John de Monfod in 1326, by Robert the Bruce
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
. In 1581, the barony was transferred to Harie Stewart of Gogar
Gogar
Gogar is a rural exurb of Edinburgh, Scotland, located to the west of the city. It is not far from Gogarloch, Edinburgh Park and Maybury. The Fife Circle Line is to the north of the city.-History:The name of Gogar first appears on a map in 1233...
, brother of James Stewart of Bothwellmuir
James Stewart, Earl of Arran
Captain James Stewart, Earl of Arran was created Earl of Arran by the young King James VI, who wrested the title from James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran...
, who was briefly Earl of Arran
Earl of Arran
Earl of Arran is a title in both the Peerage of Scotland and the Peerage of Ireland. The two titles refer to different places, the Isle of Arran in Scotland, and the Aran Islands in Ireland...
during the insanity of the third earl, James Hamilton
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who fought against French troops during the Scottish Reformation....
. The tower was recorded at this time, making it likely that it was built in response to James V
James V of Scotland
James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss...
's edict that "tours of fence" be built on all lands over £100 Scots in value.
Braidwood, and Hallbar with it, came into the possession of Lord Maitland of Thirlestane Castle
Thirlestane Castle
Thirlestane Castle is a castle set in extensive parklands near Lauder in the Borders of Scotland. The site is aptly named Castle Hill, as it stands upon raised ground. However, the raised land is within Lauderdale, the valley of the Leader Water. The land has been in the ownership of the Maitland...
, later passing through the hands of the Marquess of Douglas, before changing hands again in 1681, when it was bought by George Lockhart
George Lockhart (advocate)
Sir George Lockhart of Carnwath was a Scottish lawyer.The son of Sir James Lockhart of Lee, laird of Lee, he was admitted as an advocate in 1656. He was knighted in 1663, and was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Advocates in 1672. He was celebrated for his persuasive eloquence...
of Lee Castle
Lee Castle, South Lanarkshire
Lee Castle, also known as The Lee, is a castellated mansion in Auchenglen, a branch of the Clyde Valley in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. It is located south of Braidwood, and north-west of Lanark...
, whose estate adjoined Braidwood to the south.
By the mid 19th century the tower was in ruins, but dereliction was prevented by Sir Norman Macdonald Lockhart Bt., the young laird of Lee, who had the tower restored by a Dr D R Rankin of Carluke in 1861. The upper parts of the castle, including parapet, caphouse, gables and roof, were rebuilt at this time. The tower was then leased, generating income for the Lockharts. One notable tenant was the Rev. Neville Donaldson, minister of Glasgow Cathedral
St. Mungo's Cathedral, Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral, also called the High Kirk of Glasgow or St Kentigern's or St Mungo's Cathedral, is today a gathering of the Church of Scotland in Glasgow....
, who lived here during the 1950s and 60s. The last tenant left in 1984, and the tower once again became semi-derelict, succumbing to vandalism.
Hallbar is still owned by the Lockharts of Lee
Lockharts of Lee
The Lockharts of Lee are a Lanarkshire family that trace their descent from Sir Simon Locard...
, but in 1998 a lease was agreed with the Vivat Trust, a historic buildings preservation trust. The trust agreed to restore and convert the Tower for use as holiday accommodation.
The tower
The narrow, five storey tower is only 7.5m square, with walls up to 1.6m thick. Each level originally had a single room, with a winding stair, built into the thickness of the walls, wrapping around and linking the floors. At the basement level was a low vaulted cellar with its own access. The main door was at first floor level giving access to a small hall. Above this are two further rooms, the second vaulted. The stair continues to a pyramidal caphouse, giving access to the east parapet walk. The west parapet walk is accessed through the garret room at this level.The parapets walks are corbelled, as is an oriel window in the south gable. A projecting garderobe was also added on the west wall in the 19th century. Within the outer face of the north gable is a dovecot, formerly accessed via a timber walkway from a high level door. The chimney runs behind the pigeon holes, ensuring the birds were kept warm in winter.
To the south of the castle, a barmkin or courtyard, approximately 30m by 13m, was originally surrounded by a stone wall. It is likely that the first floor doorway was accessed from a walkway on top of the courtyard wall.
The renovation of 1998 has been sensitively carried out, with few major alterations. The vaulted cellar now contains a kitchen, while a bathroom has been installed on the second floor, now subdivided into two rooms and a passage. Other works were carried out to strengthen the stone walls, and to reduce the weight of the roof. In the hall, the ceiling was painted with a medieval design incorporating the Lockhart arms.
The tower is a category A listed building, while the ground to the south, which may once have formed a barmkin
Barmkin
Barmkin, also spelled barmekin or barnekin, is a Scots word which refers to a form of medieval and later defensive enclosure, typically found around smaller castles, tower houses, pele towers, and bastle houses in Scotland, and the north of England. It has been suggested that etymologically the...
, is a Scheduled Ancient Monument
Scheduled Ancient Monument
In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a 'nationally important' archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorized change. The various pieces of legislation used for legally protecting heritage assets from damage and destruction are grouped under the term...
. The tower itself was de-scheduled to allow the conversion works to go ahead. As of 2006, there is a house at Carluke High School named after the tower, although - for unknown reasons - the school spells it as 'Halbar'.