Hoddom School, Academy Street, Ecclefechan

Hoddom School, built in 1875, originally stood adjacent to an earlier school building in an L-shaped plan, which has since been replaced by modern two-story housing. The most prominent feature is a square tower, constructed with stugged pinkish ashlar and polished dressings. The tower’s east-facing side features a doorway in a taller section, with paired lancet windows above. Continuous string courses mimic hood moulds and incorporate a clock face. The upper angles of the tower are chamfered, with buttresses supporting a pyramidal roof above a narrow open belfry stage. A weathervane tops the tower. A corbelled square finial is present over the east gable of the original south range, likely indicating a former belfry. An east-facing door is located alongside this finial. The courtyard was originally enclosed by a low range at the southwest, featuring a wide, shouldered opening that is now partially blocked with brickwork. The site is enclosed by rubble-built walls with ashlar coping, cast-iron railings to the east and south, and ashlar gatepiers with chamfered square tops. The school tower is now surrounded by modern sheltered housing, but remains a local landmark along with the playground walls and gatepiers.