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Bucklerhole


Bucklerhole was a Border tower associated with the Grierson family, but nothing of it now remains.

Exactly when it was built is unclear, however it is named (as Buklerhol) on a map in Joan Blaeu’s Atlas of Scotland, published in 1654 but based in part on Timothy Pont’s maps of the late 16th to early 17th century.

The 16th century was a turbulent period in this area, and a lot of towers were built around this time, so the date seems a likely one. It has been described as a Border tower or watchtower, and it seems probable that it consisted of two or three storeys with thick walls.

Standing on a slight natural knoll the east bank of the Linns Burn, it occupies a strategically important position, not far from the old Grierson castle of Rockhall. The clan were very active in the area, with their ancient seat of Lag around 25km (15mile) to the north-west.

In William Roy’s Military Survey of the Lowlands, published between 1752 and 1755, Bucklerhole appears as what looks like Buckrellhole, visible just to the north-west of Rockhall.

By the early 18th century Bucklerhole was being farmed by a branch of the Grierson family, but it is unclear whether they were living in the tower, or perhaps in a newer building close by. The New Statistical Account of Scotland (written in 1845) states that until recently two storeys of the tower still stood, but “the walls are now little more than traceable”.

Some remains were still visible in 1882, and Bucklerhole was included in the RCAHMS Inventory of Monuments and Constructions in the County of Dumfries published in 1920. However nothing now remains on the site, although there is a later ruined cottage a few metres to the east.

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Alternative names for Bucklerhole

Bucklahole; Bucklaw Hole; Bucklerhold; Buklerhol

Where is Bucklerhole?

Bucklerhole is in the parish of Mouswald and the county of Dumfriesshire.

Grid reference:NY 0441 7624

Lat / long:55.071386,-3.4985379

Bing Maps | Google Maps | Historic maps (NLS) | OpenStreetMap | Ordnance Survey | PastMap | Streetmap | Wikimapia

OS Map for Bucklerhole

OS map 322
Annandale (Annan, Lockerbie & Beattock)
OS Explorer map 322


Directions to Bucklerhole

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Weather at Bucklerhole

5°C
max 5°C / min 5°C
7km/h SW
1031mb
90%
73%
08:14 16:38

Broken clouds
Weather observed at Torthorwald at 20:15

References (books)

New Statistical Account of Scotland
Various
Edinburgh, 1845
Statistical Account of Scotland
Various
Edinburgh, 1799
The Castles of South-West Scotland
Mike Slater
Malvern, 1993
The Gazetteer of Scotland
John Wilson
Edinburgh, 1882

References (websites)

Canmore
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Castles near Bucklerhole

Drumbeg (site of)

0.7km away

Rockhall Mote

1.1km away

Rockhall

1.4km away

Collin (site of)

1.6km away

Greenlea (possible) (site of)

1.7km away

Drummuir (site of)

2.0km away

Torthorwald Castle

2.3km away

Dargavel (site of)

2.5km away

Mouswald Tower

2.9km away
more castles....

Ancient sites near Bucklerhole

Curriestanes cursus

8.5km away

Trailflat cursus

8.8km away

Holm cursus

9.3km away

Holywood North cursus

10.1km away

Holywood South cursus

10.1km away

Twelve Apostles stone circle

10.2km away

Gallaberry cursus

10.2km away

Fourmerkland cursus

13.3km away

Lochbrow cursus

14.0km away
more ancient sites....
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Pictish stones near Bucklerhole

Trusty's Hill Class I rock carving

49.6km away

Borthwick Mains Class I symbol stone

54.6km away

Eggerness Class I rock carving

62.6km away

Abernethy No. 2 Class III symbol stone

99.4km away

Abernethy No. 4 Class III cross shaft

99.4km away

Princes Street Gardens Class I symbol stone

99.5km away

Hawkhill Class III cross-slab

117.2km away

Court Cave Class I rock carving

124.3km away

Doo Cave Class I rock carving

124.4km away
more Pictish stones....
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Pictish sites near Bucklerhole

Whitecleugh silver chain

49.4km away

Todholes (possible) silver chain

69.3km away

Borland silver chain

69.9km away

Whitlaw silver chain

84.9km away

Haddington silver chain

108.1km away

Hoardweel silver chain

112.3km away

Traprain Law silver chain

112.5km away

Norrie's Law hoard

136.1km away

Dunnicaer fort

225.1km away
more Pictish sites....
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Accommodation near Bucklerhole

The Manor Country House Hotel
hotelTorthorwald
2.4km away
Premier Inn Dumfries
hotel, restaurantDumfries
3.8km away
The Hightae Inn
hotelHightae
5.7km away
Moreig Hotel
hotelDumfries
6.3km away
Aston Hotel Dumfries
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
6.4km away
Hetland Hall Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barCarrutherstown
6.5km away
Best Western Station Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
6.8km away
Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club
hotelDumfries
6.8km away
The Rondo Guest House
hotelDumfries
6.9km away
The Queensberry
hotelDumfries
7.1km away

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more accommodation....

Cafés, restaurants & bars near Bucklerhole

Premier Inn Dumfries
hotel, restaurantDumfries
3.8km away
Aston Hotel Dumfries
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
6.4km away
Hetland Hall Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barCarrutherstown
6.5km away
Best Western Station Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barDumfries
6.8km away
Best Western Dryfesdale Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barLockerbie
11.1km away
Friars Carse Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurantAuldgirth
14.7km away
Kirkconnel Hall Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barEcclefechan
14.8km away
Cavens Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurantDumfries
18.9km away
Trigony Country House Hotel
hotel, restaurantThornhill
23.0km away
Annandale Arms Hotel
hotel, restaurant, barMoffat
29.3km away
more food.... / more drink....

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Published on the 21st of December 2011 at 12:11 am. Updated on the 17th of January 2013 at 10:35 pm.

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Andy Sweet above Fast Castle

Stravaiging around Scotland is written, photographed and researched by Andy Sweet.
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