Whitslaid Tower facts for kids
Whitslaid Tower was an old stone fortress in Berwickshire, Scotland. For more than 300 years, it was the home of the Lauder family. Today, it stands as a ruin high on a hill, overlooking the Leader Water river. It's about 2 miles south of the town of Lauder in the Scottish Borders. Long ago, when kings ruled the land, this area was a special part of the King's own land, called the Barony of Renfrew.
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Exploring Whitslaid Tower
Whitslaid Tower sits on a steep hill, surrounded by old ash trees. Behind it, there's a flat area that was likely used for a garden and other buildings needed by a landowner long ago. An old dirt path winds around the tower, leading from the Leader Water river. The tower was built to control the whole area around it.
What the Tower Looks Like Now
The walls of this square tower, called a "pele tower," are now mostly ruins. But the large vaulted room on the ground floor is still mostly in one piece. You can still use the spiral staircase, built inside the thick walls, to reach the first floor. The ceiling of the vaulted room is made of a type of stone called greywacke, which splits into thin flat pieces.
In the 1880s, when more of the tower was standing, people could see a square opening at the top. This opening was used to pour hot liquids, like melted tar, onto attackers below. The main living areas were on the third floor, but these, along with the roof, have now fallen down.
How the Tower Was Built
Some of the stones used for the tower's foundation are huge, round boulders. They must have been pulled there by oxen. The northern part of the tower is built from rough, unquarried stones. These stones might have been collected from fields or riverbanks, as their edges are worn smooth like stones rolled by water. This part of the tower is now very damaged, partly because trees are growing through it. Most of the stones in the building are greywacke. Many of the special corner stones and the carved stones from fireplaces and windows have been taken over time.
The Lauder Family and Whitslaid Tower
The Lauder family lived at Whitslaid Tower for a very long time. Records show them connected to the tower as far back as the 1300s.
Early Lauder Owners
In 1369, a man named Alan de Lawedir was the Crown tenant (meaning he rented land from the King) of Whitslaid. He was given the job of "bailie" for several lands, including Whitslaid. A bailie was like a local manager or judge for the King's lands.
Just two years later, in 1371, King Robert II confirmed that Alan de Lauder was the "Lord of Whitslaid." This meant he officially owned Whitslaid and other lands. One of the old documents about this was even "signed in the ancient manor of Whitslade," which tells us the tower was already old even then!
Later Lauder Generations
Many generations of the Lauder family lived at Whitslaid. In 1468, Robert Lauder of Whitslaid was a witness to an important document.
Later, Sir George Lauder of Whitslaid was a "steward" (manager) for the area of Kirkcudbright. He was also involved in a document in 1506 with his son, also named George Lauder of Whitslaid. Sadly, this younger George Lauder died in a famous battle called the Battle of Flodden.
Troubles at the Tower
In 1565, Queen Mary and King Henry issued a warrant (an official order) to arrest Gilbert Lauder of Whitslaid and his relatives. They were accused of a crime and had hidden inside Whitslaid Tower. The King's officials had to get help from a powerful lord, Alexander, Lord Home, to try and capture them.
In 1572, Gilbert Lauder of Whitslaid was part of a group of landowners who promised to defend their area against rebels and "broken men" (people who didn't follow the law) from the Borders.
The Tower Changes Hands
By 1662, another Gilbert Lauder of Whitslaid was having money problems. He owed a debt and eventually had to sell Whitslaid Tower to a lawyer named Mr. John Peter. The tower was still being lived in as a home around the year 1700.
There was also another place called Whitslaid near Selkirk, which belonged to the Scott family.
