Ashkirk mast tower

The tower at Ashkirk stands as a rather peculiar remnant of Cold War paranoia, rising unexpectedly from the Scottish Borders landscape near Hawick. It's a mast tower museum - essentially a communications structure that once served as a relay point, now converted to tell the story of how this area fitted into Britain's defence network during the tense decades of the 1960s onwards.

What you'll find inside is a compact but genuinely interesting look at telecommunications history and the infrastructure that underpinned military operations. The tower itself is the real draw - climbing it offers proper views across the rolling border countryside, which on a clear day extends well beyond what you'd expect from ground level. The visitor experience focuses on the technical side of things rather than Cold War drama, so if you're after spy stories, you'll be disappointed. History buffs and those interested in radio engineering will get far more from it.

The whole visit takes about an hour, which is sufficient. There's not masses of content, but the climb and views justify the time. It's free to visit, and the location means it works well as a stop between other attractions in the Borders rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at Stouslie Snugs Luxury Farm Glamping just a few miles away, it's worth a morning detour. Opening hours can be irregular, so ring ahead before making the trip - nothing worse than finding the door locked.