Wreath's tower

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Wreath's Tower Wreath's Tower  

Wreath’s Tower is situated close to the village of Mainsriddle, a mile or so north-west of Southerness on the Solway Firth.

It was a tower house thought to have been built by James Douglas, the fourth Earl of Morton, in the 1500s.

Not much remains of Wreath’s Tower: fragments of the south and east walls, and the remnants of a turnpike stair and a doorway. The height of the stairway indicates that the tower was at least four storeys high, and the tower was oblong in shape.

The building has apparently been oblong on plan, but the SE angle, containing a wheel staircase, is all that remains. Fragmentary portions of the south and east walls extend for a distance of 23' and 13'2" respectively. The remains in general are in a critical state.

Although probably impressive in its day, was not James Douglas’ only place of residence, preferring Aberdour.

In 1621 Robert, 9th Lord Maxwell received the lands and barony of Preston ‘ with the castles and manor places'. A ‘James Maxwell of Wraithes' is recorded in 1655. After the 2nd Earl of Nithsdale founded Preston town in 1663, it is thought that Wreaths was superceded as the principal residence by a newer building at Cavens. In 1667 John Corbet, the former bailie in Dumfries held sasine on the lands as ‘John Corbet of Wreaths', but in 1734 it was back with the Maxwells, and was held by Mary and Willielmina Maxwell in 1742. Around 1773 the lands of Preston, Wreaths and Cavens were bought by Richard Oswald of Auchencruive, Ayrshire, whose family held it throughout the 19th century. Later, in 1773, the ownership was in the hands of a Richard Oswald of Ayrshire.

Note:
There was a Wreath's Tower in the parish of Kirkmichael, Dumfriesshire, on the banks of the Wreath's Burn. However, only a small mound remains to mark the spot.



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Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024