Sauchie Tower

Sir James Schaw of Greenock acquired the estate of Sauchie by marriage and probably built Sauchie Tower c.1415. The Schaws were an influential family in medieval Scotland.

The tower complex included an outer wall, cobbled courtyard and large hall with kitchen and bread oven. The west courtyard wall was partly remodelled c.1490, to include gunholes and corner tower. In 1631 this was incorporated into Sauchie House, built by Alexander Schaw, who was knighted in 1633 by Charles I.

In c1710 the family moved to their new mansion of Schawpark. A cottage was built against the south end of Sauchie House. The tower roof fell in c1858 and the bartizans (corner turrets) and gables collapsed c1890. Sauchie House was demolished in 1930 and the cottage soon afterwards.

Sauchie Tower is owned by Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust, which has carried out remedial repairs. The Friends of Sauchie Tower were established to support the restoration of the tower. The group was awarded a Heritage Lottery Fund grant to carry out the project entitled Sauchie Tower and its Environs, which included an excavation and research on the family, site and surroundings.

Clackmannanshire Heritage Trust and the Friends are planning to raise funds to complete the excavation of the site, finish the restoration of Sauchie Tower, conserve the ruins of Sauchie House and reshape the surrounding landscape.

Visits will be by guided tour only

Visitors should note that this is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties.