Binnhill Tower, Kinfauns

Gothic, 4-storey rubble-built with octagonal angle stair turret approx. 80' high. One gothic window each floor on S. frontage. Roofless and vandalised. (Historic Scotland).

Built by Francis, 14th Lord Gray, as an observatory and castellated romantic feature high above the Carse of Gowrie.(Gifford)

6 June 1991: The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that the owner has applied to restore the tower into a holiday home. The surrounding land is owned by the Forestry Commission and there are fears that the development could infringe upon public access rights. 7 June 1991: The Perthshire Advertiser repeats the story. Planning Permission is subsequently granted and timber floors and roofs are installed. The tower is also stabilised, with its stonework repointed. 7 July 1994: The Scotsman reports that the tower is being offered for sale by Edinburgh-based architects Simpson and Brown via Pavilions of Splendour. The tower is subsequently sold, though no further works occur. June 1997: Historic Scotland describes the tower as roofless and vandalised. Recent spates of vandalism have included fires being lit up against the door. February 1998: The owner reports that he still intends to carry out intermittent repair works, and hopes to eventually inhabit the tower. However, his efforts are being frustrated by the vandals. January 2001: Local planners are unaware of any change. December 2003: Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust reports that the tower remains in relatively good condition. There is evidence of some recently abandoned repair works.

October 2009: External inspection finds that the tower remains derelict. The parapet has partially collapsed. Above ground floor, all windows are uncovered allowing wind and water ingress. There is a large crack in the east elevation, which appears to be stable.

4 February 2014: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously.

21 February 2014: A representative of the building's owner notes the property is to be marketed for sale. The tower is advised as being sold with a small piece of land immediately to the west. Contact Sally Carracher, carrachers@yahoo.com, 07942 822810, for more information.

4 June 2015: The Courier reports on the marketing for sale of the Tower through Gumtree. The article notes the late Gavin Alston had purchased the tower some time ago with the intention of restoring the building and converting it to a dwelling. The property is now being marketed for sale through Gumtree at £28,000.

22 April 2016: The new owners of the property advised they purchased the tower in September 2015.

11 April 2022: Currently being marketed for sale through Thorntons. Accepting offers over £80,000.

12 January 2023: Site no longer listed as for sale.

15 July 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests the building remains disused despite a recent marketing exercise.