Lochwood Tower

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The red stone ruins of the Johnstone stronghold of Lochwood Tower are in upper Annandale, a few miles south-west of Moffat near Beattock.
Lochwood was the historic seat of the Johnstone clan and was attacked and burned by both the English and the rival Maxwells on at least two occasions. It was also captured and occupied by English invaders from 1547 to 1550.
The large tower was once impressive and is described as having a hall, kitchen and stables all within the barmkin wall during the occupation, but there only scant remains left today.
The Laird of Johnstone was part of a powerful bloc of Scottish nobles, being ‘double cousin German’ to Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch, who was in turn brother-in-law in to Sir Robert Kerr of Cessford, having married his sister. These complex family ties were at the very heart of the reiver way of life and the Johnstone’s had close associations to the Elliots and Grahams of Esk and were linked to the breaking of Kinmont from Carlisle.

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