The General's Tower, Riddell

The General's Tower at Riddell is an 1885 observation tower and folly constructed by Herbertson of Galashiels. It is a tall, single-stage structure with a corbelled parapet and a crowstepped caphouse. The tower is built of squared rubble with ashlar quoins. The south elevation, the main entrance face, features a corniced, roll-moulded doorpiece with a dated lintel at ground level; above the door is a heraldic panel bearing the initials ‘J S’. The elevation is centred on the doorway and is surmounted by three irregular, small vertical openings. The north, east, and west elevations have a variety of irregular openings, including a dated, monogrammed panel on the east side. Some of the openings have been blocked. A coped stack rises from the caphouse. Inside, a corner spiral staircase provides access to the upper levels. The tower was built for Major General Sprot on the site of a former medieval motte.