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Greenknowe Tower and the Gordons
Since I was a little girl Greenknowe Tower has held a mythical, scary aura for me with stories of green ladies and ghosts told many times over in the playground of Gordon Primary School. It is a little strange that I now live right next to the ScotlandShop HQ which is also at Greenknowe, but a different Greenknowe, this one near Duns, whereas the home of Greenknowe Tower is the village of Gordon in south-east Berwickshire. I spent all of my childhood years in Gordon, my son's middle name is Gordon lest he forget his origins, and I am delighted to share with you the history of what is likely to be the very first Scottish castle of the mighty Gordon clan.
Known as the greatest clan in north-east Scotland, the Gordon's were in fact originally in Berwickshire for 200 years, only relocating north to support King Robert the Bruce in the Wars of Independence. Above the entrance to the Tower House you can still see the inscription of 1581, however it is thought that this building in fact stands on the mound of an earlier castle and is largely a reworking of a much older version. This accounts for the mix of grey granite and red sandstone typical of the area and seen in many other buildings locally, including the old railway bridge that crosses the main road beside the Tower. The grey is the original stonework and the sandstone later repairs and additions. James Seton built the Tower and lived there with his wife, Janet Edmonstone, and you can still see the Shields of the Edmonstone and Seton family on the lintel above the entrance. The Seton family had owned land in the Parish of Gordon since marrying into the Gordonfamily: who in turn had been granted the estate by Malcolm II in 1018. The carved lintel and the original tower gate still remain, with the vaulted roof over the kitchen still in place and above this open skies, however my favourite thing to do is to follow the spiral staircase up to a platform that remains on the upper floor level in the stair wing. My Mum still lives in Gordon and one of my more recent memories is of her up in one of the windows on the first floor pelting my children with snowballs down below at Easter time. Typical Scottish weather with a random snowfall in April! The Tower wasn't really built with protection in mind and the turrets and crow-stepped gables are more for beauty rather than function, and pistol holes in the walls more of a deterrent than a practical defence against armies like my children.
My son is a keen drone pilot and I hope you enjoy our video tour of Greenknowe Tower:
Now owned by Historic Scotland Greenknowe Tower carries a "Statement of Significance" which means it is nationally important because of its cultural significance. The Tower is easily accessible off the main road and open all the year round. A great stopping off point if you are en route to one of the other lovely Border towns and many historic castles and houses in the area.
