Repentance Tower
The tower was a watchtower in a chain of defence posts in the front line against The 'auld enemy'. In 1548 in a battle led by the English Warden, Wharton, against the Douglases at Durisdeer, under the care of Maxwell, there was rather a sand outcome, as the night before the battle, Maxwell had been brided to change sides. (The bribe was in exchange for the hand of Agnes Herries). Maxwell became Lord Herries. His treachery, however, cost the lives of 12 of his kinsmen, who had been held at Carlisle Castle as hostages. One of them was his 12 year old nephew. Maxwell evidently built the tower as a sign of his remorse.
Others say it was Repentance Tower because Herries built Hoddom Castle out of stones from Trailtrow Chapel.
Another legend has Herries cutting prisoner's throats and throwing them overboard while he was returning from England with a boatload of booty.
Contact
The Warden
Beacon Hill
Hoddom
Lockerbie
Dumfries & Galloway
DG11
Scotland
Tel: +44 (1576) 300244
