Binnhill Tower
| Binnhill Tower | |
|---|---|
The tower in 2017 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| Town or city | Kinfauns, Perth and Kinross |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 56°23′18″N 3°22′01″W / 56.388405°N 3.3670716°W |
| Completed | 1813 |
| Client | Francis Gray, 14th Lord Gray |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
Binnhill Tower is a stone-built tower in the Gothic style, located in Kinfauns, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. A Category B listed structure,[1] the tower stands on Binn Hill, in the centre of Binn Wood, about 0.4 miles (0.64 km) east of Kinfauns Castle. It was designed to be an observatory for Francis Gray, 14th Lord Gray, to view the River Tay and the Lomond Hills, and was completed in 1813.[2][3]
The tower cannot by accessed by road and can only be reached on foot.[4]
History
Binnhill Tower was constructed in 1813 on the grounds of Kinfauns Castle to be an observatory for the castle's owner Francis Gray, 14th Lord Gray and his guests to see panoramic views of the River Tay and the Lomond Hills.[3][4]
During the late 20th century, Binnhill Tower fell into disrepair and the roof rotted away, leaving it roofless. The tower was also frequently vandalised, with a fire being set against the doorway in the 1990s.[1][5] It was placed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 1997, and is considered by them to be in poor condition and at moderate risk.[5] It is a Category B listed structure.[1]
The tower was put on the market in 2015, with an asking price of £28,000, and sold in September of that year.[5] It was listed for sale again, in March 2022,[6] when it was noted that the tower had lapsed planning permission to be restored.[7]
Architecture
It is a square tower that was designed in a Gothic style and has four-storeys.[1] The entrance to the tower is an arched doorway on the ground floor, leading to an octagonal spiral staircase to the first floor.[4][7]
Gallery
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Binn Wood, looking south from Deuchny Wood
References
- ^ a b c d "BINNHILL TOWER". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Samuel (1847). A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland: From Keanlochbervie to Zetland. S. Lewis and Company. p. 73.
- ^ a b Campsie, Alison (30 March 2022). "Landmark tower that overlooks key route through Scotland goes up for sale". The Scotsman.
- ^ a b c Marini, Gianni (24 October 2022). "In pictures: Gothic tower ready for 'Grand Designs transformation'". STV News. STV.
- ^ a b c "Binnhill Tower, Kinfauns". Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ "Binnhill Tower Binn Hill, Kinfauns, Perth - Offers Over £80,000". Thorntons Property. Archived from the original on 26 May 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ a b Murphy, Sean (30 March 2022). "Rare Scottish Gothic castle tower on sale for only £80,000 with incredible views". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 June 2025.