Mouswald Tower was the home of the Carruthers of Mouswald, chiefs of the name, from the second quarter of the 14th century. It remained as such until the demise of that branch of the family which became extinct in 1548 on the death of the last of the male line. It is recorded that it offered enhanced protection to the south-eastern approaches to the Mouswald estate. (an artists impression of the tower, based on the details we have, is to the left).
Prior to the habitation of Mouswald, Carruthers lived on the land of Carruthers for at least three generations and beyond, a area from which we take our name .
This all began with Thomas Carruthers (the clerk) who was rewarded with a charter of lands for services to the family Bruce, who were feudal Lords of Annandale at the time. This charter was given by King Robert the Bruce in 1320, to Thomas, son of John Carruthers as a reward for the service of the Carruthers family and their loyal support through generations. This initial charter covered all the lands of Mouswald and Appletreethwaite (Musfald et de Appoltretwayt cun pertinenciis) but grew over time to a much larger estate. Prior to Carruthers owning the lands, Mouswald was first mentioned in the early 1200’s during the reign of Alexander II, as being held by vassals of Robert de Brus, probably the grandfather of King Robert the Bruce.
Thomas therefore, became the 1st of Mouswald and began the chiefly line of that house, from which 10 Carruthers chiefs came. In its day, Mouswald was a reasonable sized barony in south west of Annandale centred around Mouswald Tower and could claim friendship with the Scottish Monarchy, who stayed with them on a number of occasions.
Although the Mouswald line has been extinct since the mid 16th century, remnants of junior cadet lines did survive, but the main line was gone and the chiefship passed to the next senior house, that of Carruthers of Holmains where it sits to this day.
Mouswald Tower
Physical Description
Eventually, after the treatment of the orphaned daughters of Sir Simon, 10th of Mouswald by James Douglas of Drumlanrig, and due to his expansionism, he only had interest in the lands and not the Tower itself as such it became seriously neglected.
The structure and layout of the tower, being the largest of five border keeps in the area, was an oblong pele tower approximately 7.3 m long and 5.4 m wide, with walls roughly 1.8 m thick. It originally had at least three storeys and gun‑loops in the basement, with the ruined walls sitting 30tt high in 192. Sadly, little survives above ground now.
Surviving Ruins show parts of the east wall endure to about 9 m high, with partial remnants of the south and north walls. The northeast base section is even up to 3 m thick, not unusual for a fortification. A cottage has been built adjoining the east wall using stones reclaimed from the tower. It stands on slightly rising ground north of Cleuchbrae Burn, within the grounds of what is now Mouswald Lodge Park holiday caravanning site.
Historical Appearance
Likely built in the early 1300’s, it was inhabited by the Carruthers family as a fortified pele tower from the mid 14th century, with later royal confirmations of land charters recorded during King David II and Mary Queen of Scots’ reign. However, by the early 19th century, it was partly dismantled, by permission of the then Duke of Queensbury (Douglas)with coping stones being removed and a gate archway transported to nearby Rockhall, owned by the Griersons of Lag and used on his stables at his home Masonry taken from the tower helped build Mouswald Place, a nearby 19th-century house. It is believed that its gateway used to have the arms of Carruthers above the door, which were replaced by those of Douglas of Drumlanrig, who by fair means or foul the latter being the more likely, finally absorbed all the lands of Mouswald in 1613.
According to Sir David Lyndsey of the Mount, Lord Lyon 1542–1554, in his ‘Roll of Arms’ which forms the basis of the Public Register of all Scottish Arms and Bearings formulated through an Act of Parliament in 1672, and still come under the auspices of the Lord Lyon to this day, records the Mouswald arms as blazoned Gules, a chevron, between three fleur de lys argent, which are contradicted elsewhere.
Visual Elements
The ruins show a stand‑alone wall, built with rough, coursed stone, now partially covered in ivy and vegetation, a typical appearance for Scottish medieval tower fragments. If we let our imagination wander, we can visualise a Carruthers standing on the tower overlooking the barony on a ‘driech’ border winter’s night. The most intact section is the tall east wall, standing starkly against the sky, with deep shadow lines highlighting its height and thickness, captured vividly in the images.
The ruins are closely flanked by subsequent converted buildings, cottages and the adjacent Mouswald Place, demonstrating how later constructions have encroached on the site.
Summary
Mouswald Tower was a modest, defensive 15th-century tower house, square in shape, stone-built, with thick walls and gun-loops. Most of its mass has been lost over time, but a high, robust east wall remains, rising from the grey-green landscape. It sits today as a charming, ivy-clad relic adjoined to the cottage and holiday park, offering a striking glimpse into Scotland’s turbulent border past.
The towers and lands owned by Carruthers were scattered over a large part of Annandale with their epicentres in Mouswald and Holmains, and although not the largest border family we were there and punched well above our weight.
Promptus et fidelis
