Bighames

Gatehouse Classification - Not available

Has been described as a Possible Peel-house

There are no visible remains

NameBighames
Alternative NamesBigholms; Bigholm; Bygams
Medieval County
Historic CountryDumfriesshire
Modern AuthorityDumfries And Galloway
1974 AuthorityDumfries and Galloway
Civil ParishLangholm

There appears, also, to have been a Tower at BIGHAMES, and another is mentioned by the Statist of 1793 as being at NEIS-Hill, although possibly and Calfield may be one and the same place. (Hyslop 1912)

Gatehouse Comments

Recorded in archaeological databases as farmstead only.
The farm is in an area of about 50 acres of good arable surrounded by much rough grazing (most of which is now or recently was afforested). This would be an estate capable of supporting a small tower house although a peel-house may be more likely.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceNY311811
Latitude55.12003
Longitude-3.08134
Eastings331130
Northings581160
Length
Width
Dimensions Comment
Vault
Vault Comment
Orientation
Orientation Comment
Wall Thickness 1
Wall Thickness 2
MapRoy Military Survey of Scotland 1747-55 British Library Maps C.9.b 6/1c online copy
HolderJock o' the Bighames - one of the Calfield Armstrongs (Hyslop and Hyslop p. 252)
Gorthe Armestronge of the Bygams 1583
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Books

  • Hyslop, J. and Hyslop, R., 1912, Langholm as it was: a history of Langholm and Eskdale from the earliest timesp. 358 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Bain, J., 1894, Calendar of Letters and Papers relating to the Borders of England and Scotland(Edinburgh: HMSO) Vol. 1 1560-1594 p. 120-127 (Thomas Musgrave to Burghley, on the Border Riders 1583) online copy