Liberton Tower, Edinburgh
Liberton Tower is a near perfect example of a mid-15th century tower house, the characteristic form of lairds' houses in late medieval Scotland. It was bought in 1857 by the Littles of Liberton. Twenty years later they built Liberton House, and since then the tower was used mainly as a farm building.
Liberton was more complete and structurally sound than most abandoned tower houses. Its two vaults were intact though the timber floors had gone. The mural stairs, fireplaces, flues and 'garde-robe' shaft all survived, as did the window and door openings.
Following an archaeological investigation, work began in 1997 with the repair of the stone walls, finished inside and out with lime plaster, lime harling and ochre-coloured limewash. All the furnishings received careful attention, combining scholarship with regard for modern comfort. The two missing timber floors and the outside timber stair were reinstated, but sadly safety considerations did not permit the reinstatement of the drawbridge!
