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The Pringles of Blindlee Tower  

PringleblindleeBlindlee / Blyndlee / Blynlee Pringles
The lands of Blindlee were acquired by John Hoppringill, brother of William, the first Pringle of Torwoodlee,  and David, father of James of Whytbank. Blindlee Tower is just south of Torwoodlee.

Mr Craig Brown in  his History of Selkirkshire, 1886, says: " Up to the middle of the present  century the walls of old Blindlee Tower were visible above ground on the  northern slope of Meigle Hill. They were about 5 ft. thick, and still 4 or  5 ft. in height, when an avaricious tenant of Kilnknowe had the material  carted away to cheapen some buildings in Channel Street. Parts of the  dungeon were still covered by an arch of stone, and floored by huge slabs of very thick whinstone. Regardless vandalism has done its worst; but the  lines of the stronghold are still traceable by low mounds of verdant turf;  and it may be hoped that steps will be taken by the Laird of Gala to  prevent the total obliteration of an ancient landmark closely identified with the history of his own ancient and honorable line. For the only known lairds of Blindlee were Pringles sprung from the stock of  Galashiels, to whom, after centuries of alienation, the lands again reverted."

From the book 'The History of Galashiels': "The tower of Blyndley,  which was still standing at the beginning of the 19th century, in the form of a strong castellated mansion. It occupied a site onthe hillside, a field's breadth to the southeast of The Birks, where several old ash trees still mark the locality. Falling into a ruinous condition, it was pulled down for the sake of the building material and conveyed to Galashiels, where it was utilized in the erection  of houses in Tannage Street, or Channel Street, as it is now named."

The estate of Blindlee is now merged in that of Gala, having been purchased by Hugh Scott in 1689.

 

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© 2005-08 James Pringle. All rights reserved.

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