Scotstarvit Tower

Scotstarvit is a very well-preserved example of a tower-house – typical residences of the Scottish nobility in the medieval period.

It was probably built by the Inglis family in about 1500, but subject to a major revamp from Edinburgh lawyer Sir John Scot, who bought the estate in 1611.

The tower is in a classic L-shaped layout, with a spiral stair in the small wing. It has six floors. The fine third floor contains a large fireplace, three seated windows and a privy. Its fourth floor may have held the private chambers of the lord and lady of the house.

Sir John Scot was a prominent figure in his day. He held the positions of Director to the Chancery, Lord of Session and Privy Councillor. He was also a close associate of William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling, who once owned Argyll’s Lodging.

In his private life, he was something of an eccentric. He was passionate about topography, poetry and the arts, and may have used Scotstarvit as a base for his many hobbies. The quirky house was said to have become ‘a kind of college’ for men of learning.

Sir John fell from favour with the arrival of Oliver Cromwell in 1650. His last years were spent writing a book called 'The Staggering State of the Scots Statesmen'. Thomas Carlyle described it as "a strange little book, not a satire but a homily of life’s nothingness".

Sir John's rebuilt tower reflected his character.

His grand designs resulted in a number of unconventional features, as well as some curious omissions.

There’s no windows whatsoever on the fifth floor, no fireplace on the second floor and there is a complete absence of a kitchen within the tower.

Unusually, the small attic room on the sixth floor originally had an ornate classical fireplace bearing the initials of Sir John and his first wife Dame Anne Drummond. Sir John may have used this room as a study. The fireplace was removed, probably in 1696, and installed in the new mansion at nearby Hill of Tarvit.