Cowhill Tower

The following is from the Historic Environment Scotland Gardens and Designed Landscapes Inventory. For the most up-to-date Inventory entry, please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website:

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Type of Site

A 19th century designed landscape of parkland and woodland with the development of a woodland garden and additional gardens from the mid 1950s to the present.

Location and Setting

Cowhill Tower is situated in Nithsdale, some 5 miles (8km) north-west of Dumfries. The River Nith forms the north-east boundary of the policies and the site of the original Borders tower was almost certainly chosen for its defensive position. The house is set above the river with extensive views along the valley to north-west and south-east. When clear, the views to the south-west extend to the hills of the Lake District. Views into the designed landscape are limited by the policy woodlands which are themselves a feature in the surrounding flat landscape.

The house is set on higher ground above the river whose course has been altered and straightened to the north of the house. To the south-east of the present mansion lie the remains of an earlier fortified tower also known as Cowhill Tower. The designed landscape is enclosed by the policy woodlands and extends southwards along the drive to the minor access road which links with the A76(T) to Dumfries. General Roy's map of 1750 marks Cowhill with a square plantation of woodland to its north and a square enclosure to its west. By the 1st edition OS map of 1850, the designed landscape had been laid out in a similar form to that which remains today. There are presently 204 acres (82ha) in the designed landscape.

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Cowhill Tower is a mansion house dating from 1789 with Victorian and Edwardian additions and 20th century restorations; the tower at the north-east end was built in 1914 and it is listed B. There are ruins in the grounds of the earlier Castle which lay to the south-east of the present house. The Stables date from 1816 and are thought to have been built using stones from the earlier castle; they are listed B. There is a sundial dated 1763 and some Far Eastern garden ornamentation around the house. A delicate, wrought-iron tempietta stands to the east of the main drive near the east pond; it has six stone columns supporting the dome. Cowhill Lodges and gatepiers frame the entrance drive to the south; the lodges are one-storey, early/mid-19th century, and are listed B.

Parkland

The main drive runs through areas of diverse landscape character on its route to the house, giving the impression of a much larger designed landscape. The parks are significant in this approach. A beech hedge divides the walled garden from the park to the south where new parkland trees have been planted and fenced in recent years. Specimen trees have been planted to the north- east side of the drive and these are significant in the views from the drive and from the house.

Woodland

Cowhill Wood to the south end of the policies is open woodland, with beech, Scots pine and sycamore, some dating from c.1800, some from the early 1900s. Rhododendrons and other specimen shrubs have been planted around the two ponds and some Rhododendrons have colonised through the woods. There is a good ground flora with many wild flowers. To the south of the ponds within a clearing in the woods is a group of topiary in hawthorn representing a squirrel conducting an orchestra of birds and animals. A ride runs from this area to the south-east. Further north, along the drive at White Bridge, is a canalised section of burn, now somewhat silted at its west end. It has been planted up in the past with Azaleas, maples and Rhododendrons.

The Gardens

The gardens around the house are attractively designed in several different compartments. To the south-east, former front of the mansion is a long stepped terrace, laid out with well-trimmed lawns and surrounded by gravel paths. A cannon mounted on the terrace is a memento from one of Jardine Matheson's trading ships. The drive curves around the north of these terraced lawns then southwards to the ruins of Cowhill Castle. The east slope of the lawn has been planted with specimen trees and shrubs including Pieris formosa, Azaleas, holly and various specimen conifers. These have been planted to frame designed vistas when viewed from the house. One view from the drawing room window or terrace centres on the ruined castle while another looks due east across the river to the hills beyond.

A path leads from the old castle north to the stables and beyond them to the river bank. Along it has been planted an Avenue containing over 30 different varieties of rowans. The path extends north-west below the knoll on which the mansion is built to the tennis and squash court area, some of the earliest built in Scotland. Past the courts, the path circles round and below the house past the new indoor swimming pool to the walled garden.

Steps lead up to the house through the terraces to the rose garden and arches form an arbour above the steps. The terraces are planted with interesting trees and shrubs including Davidia involucrata, Eucryphia, species Rhododendron, and a Japanese Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata). Fruit trees are also planted in this sheltered south-facing position. Additions are continually being made to the collection of plants. The rose garden is on the upper terrace near the house and it has been planted by Mrs Weatherall with hybrid tea roses. A fine Hoheriagrows on this upper terrace, and a path leads to the west of the house to the rockery designed by David Keswick which contains several eastern ornaments, including Chinese toads.

Walled Garden

The walled garden lies to the south of the house and is kept up for vegetables and cut flowers. It has been divided into several compartments, including an orchard, a rock wall and a herb garden. It was let as a market garden during World War II and the dividing walls were put in afterwards. Box hedges further subdivide the compartments. The glasshouses contain a beautiful display of pot plants and Camellias.