Spedlin's Tower

Spedlin's Tower is a tower house, originally dating back to the 15th century, with substantial remodelling and upper floors rebuilt around 1605, as indicated by a datestone. The original tower was a straightforward, large rectangular plan, but now stands five storeys high. It was abandoned by the first quarter of the 19th century, re-roofed with slates, and underwent restoration work in 1988. The structure is primarily rubble-built with ashlar dressings, featuring regularly positioned openings, many of which are roll-moulded or chamfered, and some with iron grilles. A round-headed door is located at the east end of the north wall. A corbel table suggests a previous entrance at the first floor, which was later replaced with a window. The northeast angle was rebuilt in ashlar to accommodate an internal stair.

The tower has a double-ridged roof with crow-stepped twin gables, lacking parapets. Corbelled bartizans, with cable moulding, adorn the outer angles, and there are stacks positioned over the gables and along the east and west wallheads.

The interior includes two lower vaulted floors with exceptionally thick (9 to 10 feet) walls. The first floor’s west wall features a consoled Renaissance fireplace. A wheel stair is located in the southeast angle, with a prison situated underneath. The upper floors incorporate a full-length central corridor, with spine walls built on relieving arches below the roof gully, and rooms leading off. The double-pile plan is notable for its date.

Historical records indicate that stones were taken from Spedlin’s Tower and relocated to Luce (now Denbie), including one dated 1578, suggesting building work occurred around that time, and another from 1700. MacGibbon and Ross noted a similarity between the tower's fireplace and one at Newark Castle (on the Clyde), suggesting it derives from patterns published by Serlio. The tower was the seat of the Jardines of Applegarth, who built Jardine Hall on the opposite river bank in the early 19th century. A Privy Council order from 1600 instructed repairs and occupancy to improve policing of the border.