Preston Tower

Have you ever imagined yourself standing on the battlements of a tower, looking out across a vast rolling landscape, and back in time across centuries of history? Here we are, in front of the Preston Tower – a true bastion of Scotland. This L-shaped stone edifice, with its four original storeys, tells a tale of family feuds, power struggles, and even the occasional unfortunate fire. And the Hamiltons are at the heart of it. Preston passed to them in the late 14th century, thanks to a strategic marriage. But the Hamiltons, a fiercely independent bunch, weren’t content with mere ownership. They fortified the tower, adding two more storeys in 1626, complete with Renaissance windows. But they didn’t just add beauty, they fortified the structure, adding a lean-to hoarding to lob rocks, boiling oil or sand at any pesky enemies. Speaking of enemies, this tower has seen its fair share of them. In 1544, the English under the Earl of Hertford burned it down with the town of Prestonpans. And again, in 1650, when Cromwell’s troops came calling. But Preston Tower was a survivor. It was rebuilt, only to burn down again, albeit accidentally, in 1663. After that, the residence was abandoned in favour of a nearby house, but the tower remained, a ghostly reminder of a bygone era. Today, Preston Tower, despite its scars, stands as a testament to the resilience of stone and the enduring legacy of the Hamiltons. It is a place that whispers tales of ambition and betrayal, courage and resilience, and reminds us that even the mightiest structures can be humbled by fire and fate. So, soak in the history, feel the wind in your hair, and imagine the stories that these walls have seen. The Preston Tower, a monument to the trials of time, and a reminder of the enduring spirit of Scotland.