The Pringles of Buckholm Tower
This ruined tower is in  a corner of a barmkin beside a later house. The tower bears the date 1582  and the initials of John Pringle and his wife.

Buckholm was the residence of James Hoppringle of Tynnes (son of Alexander of that Ilk). He acquired the tower and associated lands after an historic act of bravery in 1524, when he saved the lives  of the Scottish King and Queen. Map of Buckholm (Multimap.com)

In 1788  James Pringle the 9th Laird of Torwoodlee,  sold Bowland and bought the lands of Buckholm and William Law (Map of Bowland & Williamlaw (Multimap.com)) which had belonged to another  branch of the Pringles from 1540 to 1713.

In 1619, John and James Pringle of Buckholm sold the lands of Tinnies  in Ettrick Forest for 20,000 merks to the Earl of Buccleuch.

Buckholm Tower stands isolated high on an exposed fellside above the valley of the Gala Water about a mile north of Galashiels. The 16th century tower house is now in a very ruinous and unstable condition  although the later wing to the south is in a slightly better state of repair.

The L-plan tower is roughly built of local rubble and rises to three storeys and a garret. A small stair tower projects from the main block.  The ground-floor is vaulted and has a doorway but does not communicate  with the upper floors. The main entrance to the building was at first floor level in the stair tower.

The tower has been enclosed within a barmkin; these are a rare survival  and it is fortunate that Buckholm retains not only remains of the barmkin but of an arched gateway too. Above this has been a bartizan or gatehouse  carried on corbels. The lintel of the original doorway was removed to nearby Torwoodlee and bore the initials I P and N P and the date 1582 which matches the apparent age of the tower. Buckholm belonged to Melrose  Abbey at one time but after the Reformation it was given by the Commendator to James Pringle or Hoppringle of Tynnes. Map of Tinnies (Multimap.com)

Buckholm Tower is currently owned by James Pringle of Torwoodlee.

See: www.torwoodlee.com