The green
knoll on which this castle was built is not very high, but was formerly surrounded by the
extensive Gordon Moss which would have improved its defensive position. James Seton of
Touch and Janet Edmonstone, whose arms appear over the door, erected the tower, which is
constructed in a dark whinstone with sandstone quoins and other dressings, in 1581.
Externally Greenknowe is
distinguished by its string course on the wing, corbelled bartizans, and corbie-stepped
gables. In the grounds are the remnants of a stable.
In the late 17th
century Walter Pringle of Stichel, a noted writer and Covenanter owned Greenknowe. The
tower remained occupied until about 1850. In 1937 the Dalrymple family passed it into
state care, and they gave a donation towards its consolidation through the Dalrymple
Archaeological Trust. |
