Caldwell Tower

The Caldwell Tower

The Caldwell Tower is an abandoned tower house standing on a mound outside Uplawmoor in Renfrewshire. It is a small, free-standing tower, probably of the 16th century, square in plan and of good coursed rubble. It contains three storeys beneath the parapet. This is carried on two courses of individual corbels. The crenellations seem to have been renewed at some time in its history.

The door at ground floor level is in the west wall and admits to a vaulted basement, which does not communicate with the upper stories. The first floor, also vaulted, is reached by a modern forestair. The flooring above has been altered.

The windows are small, and there are signs of built-up gun-loops in the walling.

The fabric throughout is in fair condition. This tower is thought to have been part of the courtyard-type Caldwell Castle. Rubble, possibly from demolished ancillary buildings has been noted at the site.

History

Ainslie's map of 1775 indicates a 'pigeon house' or 'doocot' at the position of the tower, indicating a later use of this castle remnant. Some indications of the tower being a focal point of the pleasure gardens, linked to a belvedere have been suggested. The 1832 map of Renfrewshire by John Thomson shows the tower clearly and marks it as 'Bacon H.' suggesting that it was then in use as a building for curing hams.

The Caldwell Place tower in 1910

Restoration

In 2011, the tower was restored for use as a dwelling with the addition of a small ground-floor extension and a staircase to first-floor level. The restoration, which was featured on the series The Restoration Man, is the subject of much controversy.

Outside links

• Streetmap: Caldwell Tower

References

• Pride, David (1910). A History of the Parish of Neilston (Alexander Gardner, Paisley)