What remains of Elphinstone Tower whispers tales of a bygone era. This ruin sits about 4 miles southeast of Tranent in East Lothian. Once, this was the heart of the Elphinstone family’s power. They held these lands from the 13th century.
Elphinstone Tower started as a 13th-century project. But it was not finished until the 15th century. Imagine this tower in its prime. It had three storeys and a stone-flagged parapet. Gargoyles watched from above. A caphouse stood guard at one corner. Open rounds marked the others.
Inside Elphinstone Tower, a vaulted basement provided a solid foundation. The first floor housed the hall and original kitchen. A partition screened the kitchen. The upper floors offered private chambers. The walls were thick. They contained many small rooms and stairs. A peephole allowed secret observation of the hall.
In 1435, Sir Alexander Elphinstone died. The property then passed to the Johnstones through marriage. Elphinstone Tower witnessed a dark moment in 1545. Protestant reformer George Wishart was brought here. He was on his way to Cardinal Beaton. Beaton took Wishart to St Andrews. There, Wishart was burned at the stake in 1546.
A mansion was added to Elphinstone Tower around 1600. But it was torn down in 1865. The Elphinstone family moved to nearby Carberry Tower.
Elphinstone Tower faced its own destruction. Coal workings caused subsidence. Much of the tower was demolished in 1955. More has been lost since then. Today, only a few feet of walls remain standing.
One intriguing story tells of an underground passage. This passage supposedly linked Elphinstone Tower to Falside Castle. Elphinstone Tower’s story is etched in old maps. Blaeu’s map of Lothian and Linlithgow marks ‘Elphinstoun’. It shows it in an enclosed, wooded park. Adair’s map of East Lothian depicts ‘Elphinston’.
Look closely at the remaining walls of Elphinstone Tower. The north wall still has a doorway. It stands about 4 meters high. The south wall has vanished completely. Once the tower measured 50 1/2 feet east to west. It was 35 feet from north to south. The walls were 8 feet thick. The tower rose 57 feet from ground to parapet.
Even in ruins, Elphinstone Tower speaks volumes. It reminds us of powerful families. It marks religious upheaval. It highlights the relentless march of time and industry.