Discover Alone, back to main map

Indicated

Castle, tower house

What is recorded here

Indicated, Town Parks is a four-storey tower house on West Gate Street, locally called the tholsel, where narrow loops and a murder-hole still mark its defensive purpose. The 1637 fireplace and later clock-tower show how the building changed from private strength to public timekeeping. A damaged south wall was rebuilt set back, preserving the shape of the injury rather than hiding it.
On the N side of West Gate Street and locally known as the 'tholsel'. This four-storey tower house (ext. dims.7.65m N-S; 6.85m E-W), with base-batter, is rendered externally and, on the ground floor, internally. A large recess in the S wall indicates where wall was partially destroyed and the rebuild set back from the original face. The only surviving windows are narrow loops. There is a murder-hole over the stairs at ground-floor level. In the 17th century the tower was altered, probably to make it more commodious. In the N wall at first-floor level there is a fireplace inscribed with the date 1637 and on the third floor is a 17th-century fireplace with chamfered mantle. In the 18th century a clock-tower and lantern were added (Craig 1982, 314). The original spiral stairs, up to third-floor level, has been replaced with a stone and wooden staircase. In recent times the building was used to house a tourist office. (Farrelly and FitzPatrick 1993). Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011
The tower house at Indicated, Town Parks, locally known as the 'tholsel', was likely built in the late medieval period as a civic or administrative building, reflecting the governance and urban development of the town. Its four-storey structure and strategic location near the West Gate suggest it played a key role in local administration or justice.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.

What survives
Recorded monument

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places