Dryden Tower

As it was a nice day and I already had two lines of washing out (which equates to 'working') we allowed ourselves time off for a walk to see a familiar landmark near Bilston, the Dryden Tower. The nearest view is marred by a white railing surrounding the base, not visible from the approach from the South, and by power lines which spoil the photographs, so I have blipped the second storey and above.

Now Grade B listed it was certainly built before 1854, as it appears on the first edition OS map of that date, as a folly or a hilltop eye-catcher for Dryden House. It originally belonged to a wider landscape known locally as 'The Pleasure' which was destroyed by the construction of Bilston Glen colliery. It was perhaps built to commemorate the Battle of Roslin, 24th February, 1303, when the Scots successfully defeated three English Divisions, however a recent monument has been built near Roslin village.

Dryden House itself was built before 1841 as census records of that year show occupation by the Mercer family. The old drive crossed the McMillan bridge over the Kill Burn, and there was a gate lodge on the Bilston Road. The house was demolished in 1938 and there is no evidence of it on the ground, nor, indeed, on the map as the site is in an area marked as 'Disused Workings' and awaits the attention of the cartographer.