Torbain Tower, Torbain

2-stage, square-plan, roofless folly. Crenellated tower with full-height circular corner turret to N. Rubble with ashlar dressings. String courses. Variety of narrow arrowslit openings to each stage; round-headed bipartite opening near top of 1st stage and further bipartite opening to 2nd stage at SE; higher round turret to outer right angle at NE; timber door with fanlight below square openings to SW; single storey range projecting to NW.

Formerly part of the Raith Estate, this is the third folly built at a time when landowners were generally upgrading farmhouses and steadings for the benefit of tenants. The other Raith Estate follies are Balwearie Tower and Lambswell. (Historic Scotland) The adjacent early 19th century steadings, cartsheds, old mill, farmhouse, and central courtyard are unlisted.

21 October 1993: The folly, steading and farmhouse are advertised for sale via Brodies of Edinburgh. August 1995: Local planners report that the folly stands roofless. The steadings and farmhouse are semi-derelict and a large section of roof has been removed from one of the steading buildings. January 1998: External inspection reveals that the farmhouse is unsecured. January 2002: Local planners report no change. October 2007: External inspection reveals that the Tower and associated farm steading buildings are vacant and in a poor/ very poor condition. The buildings do not appear to be secured or undergoing regular maintenance.

November 2010: External inspection finds the B-listed tower and unlisted surrounding steading buildings have not changed significantly since the previous site visit. The buildings continue to deteriorate.

27 May 2014: External inspection finds the tower remains in much the same condition as seen previously.

30 April 2019: External inspection find the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously. The surrounding farm buildings are in advanced deterioration.

2 May 2024: Desk-based assessment suggests building remains At-Risk.