THOMSON'S TOWER

This picturesque octagonal two storey building is situated on the south side of the Church and right on the edge of the Loch. It dates from 1825 and was erected by the Duddingston Curling Society which used the lower level to shelter their curling stones.

The upper level was used as a studio retreat by the Reverend John Thomson, the Minister at Duddingston from 1805 until his death in 1840 and an accomplished painter of landscapes. He named the Tower 'Edinburgh' in order that casual callers at the Manse could be informed that he was unavailable as he had gone to 'Edinburgh'. Thomson was thus able to maintain privacy in his studio with a clear conscience. He is best remembered in the expression "We're all Jock Tamson's Bairns". Originally rubble built, the Tower was in a seriously neglected condition until 1978 when the exterior was refurbished by the Society for the Preservation of Duddingston Village and a wet dash harl applied.


	DUDDINGSTON KIRK \| home DUDDINGSTON VILLAGE \| PLAN OF DUDDINGSTON VILLAGE \| THE KIRK \| EXTERNAL DETAILS \| EXTERNAL IMAGES \| INTERNAL DETAILS \| CHANCEL ARCH \| STAINED GLASS \| DEVELOPMENT OF CHURCH \| STAGES IN DEVELOPMENT \| MANSE AND GROUNDS \| GRAVEYARD AND WATCH TOWER \| THOMSON'S TOWER \| LOUPING-ON-STANE & JOUGS COLLAR \| PLANS AND SECTIONS \| REFERENCES \| CONTACT THOMSON'S TOWER Thomson's Tower This picturesque octagonal two storey building is situated on the south side of the Church and right on the edge of the Loch. It dates from 1825 and was erected by the Duddingston Curling Society which used the lower level to shelter their curling stones. The upper level was used as a studio retreat by the Reverend John Thomson, the Minister at Duddingston from 1805 until his death in 1840 and an accomplished painter of landscapes. He named the Tower 'Edinburgh' in order that casual callers at the Manse could be informed that he was unavailable as he had gone to 'Edinburgh'. Thomson was thus able to maintain privacy in his studio with a clear conscience. He is best remembered in the expression "We're all Jock Tamson's Bairns". Originally rubble built, the Tower was in a seriously neglected condition until 1978 when the exterior was refurbished by the Society for the Preservation of Duddingston Village and a wet dash harl applied. Rev John Thomson Distant View of Edinburgh by John Thomson Castle Campbell by John Thomson