Revealing Peel Tower

The tower house, or peel, on Castle Semple Loch, was identified as a significant feature within the Garnock Connections landscape, and 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 successfully completed consolidation works and used 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.

Click on the models below, created by Rathmell Archaeology, to explore Peel Tower in 3D, both pre- and post-consolidation:

Peel Tower, Castle Semple Loch – 1st Model by Liam McKinstry on Sketchfab