Revealing Peel Tower
The tower house, or peel, on Castle Semple Loch, has been identified as a significant feature within the Garnock Connections landscape, and has been designated as a nationally important scheduled monument. However, it has suffered from neglect and vandalism, resulting in thick vegetation cover, trees heavily embedded within the masonry, mortar hungry joints, and the downtaking of architectural features, such as the newel stair. Its survival was very much at risk until recent consolidaiton works were carried out.
Revealing Peel Tower has successfully completed consolidation works and will use features of the structure to interpret the remains of the monument, to ensure its survival and making it a valuable heritage asset for the local community. Visitors to both the RSPB Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve and the Castle Semple Visitor Centre will also benefit from interpretation of Peel Tower being added to the current visitor offer. The consolidation work on Peel Tower included the archaeological excavation of the fallen rubble within the monument (where pottery sherds and an intriguing niche piece, complete with mason's mark, were discovered) and the removal of Invasive Non-Native Plant Species from the scheduled area. Excavation of the rubble and clearing the covering vegetation increased access to the site and potentially revealing new insight and information on the construction, use, and history of the Peel Tower.
Did you know?
A small bronze cannon, bearing the arms of James V, was recovered from Castle Semple Loch near the site of the Peel Tower
(Picture: Wikipedia: Replica falconet aboard the replica tall ship Half Moon)
Project Location
Contact Details
Name:
Alyson Hunter
Email:
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Phone:
07872 048868
