Dawn Edwards
20.09.2024
A right little gem, we were pleasantly suprised by the inside!
Ed Hig
17.09.2024
Had the dogs with us. Did not go inside. Fantastic views from the Tower. In fact, it was so clear...saw Bamburgh castle. We had visited the day before.
Dave Beggs
16.09.2024
The tower itself I was a bit let down by. Not much to see internally and £7 seemed quite a lot. It’s an interesting building but nothing grabbed me about it. Externally it’s impressive, what’s even more impressive is the incredible views. If you have a dog with you it has some great short walks around the tower area.
Worth a visit but only just.
Keith Brown
27.08.2024
It was closed on a Sunday, when it was scheduled to be open, so not able to vouch for the inside of the tower. Even from the bottom, a decent view, though not worth the detour from the road. The last quarter/half mile to the car park is on a farm track which has large holes.
Mark Pringle
25.08.2024
You have to book tickets in advance online. We didn’t know this but enjoyed the visit anyway. Had a good walk around and fascinated by the design and structure of the 15th Century Tower. The other reason is being a Pringle I am on a road of ancestry.
Stephen Robson
21.08.2024
Well worth a visit, very interesting and informative.
Mirco Burnacci
19.08.2024
Emozionante torre persa nella campagna scozzese.
Wayne Temblett
13.08.2024
Amazing sight if you're interested in Border reiver and Sir Walter Scott related history.
The steward was a great bloke, friendly and informative.
Jerry Kwestro
01.08.2024
Smailholm Tower was one of our favourite places this year; it is a beautiful restored building with a lot of authenticity. Paul, the super friendly guy behind the ticket machine, makes the picture complete. Thanks Paul!
A must to visit when you are in the area!
Garry Lewis
12.07.2024
This is a beautiful place to visit off the nwaten path of tourism. Take a car and go see it.
ann cowperthwaite
10.07.2024
Short climb up to the tower. Road was very narrow on approach and entrance is found through a working farm. Entrance fee (about £7 each) views over the landscape were worth the climb to the top. Stairs quite steep and not for the faint hearted. Plenty exhibits in the 3 rooms available to the public. Member of staff there was chatty and knowledgeable
Alexander Liekens
16.06.2024
Closed even though both Google and the official website claimed it to be open. No notifications of unexpected closure anywhere. We drove a long way to visit, very disappointing.
Krisje Vd Einden
10.06.2024
Een bijzondere toren zomaar in een ruw weiland. Je moest er via een erf van een boer komen. Het was echt het bezoek waard. Bovenin had je een prachtig uitzicht over de borders
Christian Schlief
22.05.2024
Nice
Cathy
17.05.2024
This site is a gem! The walk up a hill from the car park (free) may be difficult for some but don't miss this historic site if you're in the area and can tackle just a short uphill climb. The views are spectacular, the informational displays are extremely well done, and the on-site manager was very knowledgeable. He was a pleasure to talk to and we learned so much from our conversation with him.
Sean Wanless
05.05.2024
Very small site over 4 floors.. Every floor has something to stop and look at/read.. You have to drive along farm tracks to get to it but it's well worth the drive... Special thanks to Paul the guy who works there for filling us in with a lot of the history surrounding the place. Believe me when you get to the top and go outside onto the turrets you'll be glad you made the journey the views are spectacular.. Just wish the weather had been a bit kinder the day we went. Don't buy your ticket online just turn up.. They'll always let you in we were told👍
Andrew Davis
28.04.2024
Really atmospheric location. Fascinating collection of models relating to the Sir Walter Scott connection. Views are spectacular.
Anna Davis
28.04.2024
Fascinating tower with stunning views. Well worth the detour.
Alan K
28.04.2024
Amazing views from here
Stevie Neilson
20.04.2024
Brilliant Tower well presented
Kimberley R
20.03.2024
Interesting tower with great views. The carpark is very small and it's challenging to climb especially if it's been raining.
Carpark is closed on winter and the road to get to it is full of potholes.
Annette Lee
05.02.2024
Stunning veiws!
Garry Howard
03.02.2024
Tower of hysterical interest
Phil Morris
19.05.2018
Wonderful place, Paul from Historic Scotland very knowledgeable, superb panoramic views from the rooftop. Folklore display dolls are fascinating too.
M Rich
18.09.2023
Really enjoyable visit today, helped by the very friendly and informative guy working there, who was great. He went out of his way to help my disabled wife. Full marks to him and the Tower!
Steve M
17.09.2023
Smailholm is one of the smaller tower houses, but its wonderful character and lofty situation atop a crag in an isolated countryside setting makes up for its size.
Equally important, it is a museum with several scenes on each floor using miniature dolls to depict Scottish Border ballads that Sir Walter Scott and his colleagues collected from local folk. Visitors do self-tours of the several floors, with the audio guide summarizing each ballad and providing some of the song. A written summary of these tales is also provided on each floor.
Smailholm tower has little furniture, but visitors can sit on the stone alcove seats while listening to the narrative. Another treat is the two top-floor stone balconies that provide excellent views of the area. As a tower house, climb a circular turret staircase to each level. These stairs are somewhat smaller than in larger castle turrets, but still manageable with the rope handrail.
Smailholm tower is located on a narrow country road; it actually passes through a farm. The path from the small car park (Northside of the tower) is up the crag to the tower entrance (located on the south side).
