Comments on: Dryden Tower, Bilston, Midlothian https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/ Rambles to, and ramblings about, Follies and Garden and Landscape Ornament. Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:24:16 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Destination: The 'Lothian' Councils - Travel with Sarah Sarber https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-20405 Thu, 05 Jun 2025 03:24:16 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-20405 […] Dryden Tower […]

]]> By: Editor https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-11510 Thu, 20 Jul 2023 07:35:10 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-11510 In reply to Robert Howell.

Hello Robert. Thanks for sharing the local story about the tower and I am pleased you now know that it had a much less sinister purpose. It’s an enchanting building, but not in the witchcraft sense.

]]> By: Robert Howell https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-11509 Thu, 20 Jul 2023 02:12:13 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-11509 As a young man coming of age, cast between wide-eyed incredulity and cynicism, while riding the bus to Morningside from Milton Bridge, I was informed by a lovely lady of Beeslack that the tower “to the right” is the witch’s tower, where the laird sent his female family members after he ran out of patience with them. I believed it. Thank you, after 55 years of enchantment, for clearing this matter up.

]]> By: Editor https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-10601 Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:41:48 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-10601 In reply to Craig.

Hello Craig. I wish I had bumped into you when we visited as we could have done with someone showing us the way! I’m very pleased to hear that you have happy memories of the tower, and as you say it is great to know that it is secure for future generations. Thanks for taking the time to get in touch.

]]> By: Craig https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-10600 Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:37:56 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-10600 I grew up in bilston and spent a lot of summer’s down the glen, i used to play in there as a kid with friends.
Me and my brother managed to get to the top via a very broken staircase, what a view from the top.
Great to see it has been renovated as it was on the verge of falling down.
I have many good memories from the tower.

]]> By: Roslyn Wiegand https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-6389 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 11:43:16 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-6389 Would love to hear from you. My email is info@beachandtree.com.au
Sorry. It came through with spaces in my last post.

]]> By: Editor https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-6388 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:36:51 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-6388 In reply to Roslyn Wiegand.

How lovely to hear your story and thanks for taking the time to share it. I will email you as I would love to know more.

]]> By: Roslyn Wiegand https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-6387 Mon, 13 Dec 2021 10:26:22 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-6387 Some of My ancestors (Wright family) were born and lived in Dryden Tower as the Gatekeepers of Dryden House. I have newspaper clippings and a pencil hand-drawn sketch of Dryden Town which is beautiful. I was named after Roslin Chapel as many of my relatives lived around Rosslyn. I can send photos of this information if anyone is interested. I live in Australia. My email is info@beach and tree.com.au

]]> By: Editor https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-5005 Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:08:49 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-5005 In reply to stu.

Thank you. I will have a look next time I am in Glasgow.

]]> By: stu https://thefollyflaneuse.com/dryden-tower-bilston-midlothian/#comment-5004 Thu, 26 Aug 2021 13:26:33 +0000 https://thefollyflaneuse.com/?p=3409#comment-5004 If you’re in Glasgow, have a look at Kelvinside Hillend Parish Church, it has quite a few gargoyles

http://www.fleming-buildings.co.uk/kelvinside-hillhead-parish-church.html

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