Dufftown Clock Tower is a stone tower with a clock at the crossroads in the centre of Dufftown, Banffshire, at the focal point of the town square. It became a Class B listed building in 1972.[1]
The three storey tower was constructed of grey granite with pink granite dressings in 1839,[1] as the town gaol. After use as a prison, and then as the Burgh Chambers, it is now a Tourist Information Centre.
The ground floor has doors to the south and west, with band courses between the floors. The first and second floors have a window recess on each elevation; some have a sash window but many are blank. The walls have some mock circular gun loops. The crenellated parapet has a clock face on each elevation, with a dummy bartizan at each corner. The tower was originally topped by a leaded steeple; it now has a bellcote with leaded ogee roof, ball finial and weathervane.[1]
The clock was brought to Dufftown from Banff, where it was known as "the Clock That Hanged MacPherson": MacPherson of Kingussie was convicted and condemned to death, and the Sheriff of BanffLord Braco put the clock forward by 15 minutes to ensure that MacPherson would be hanged before a pardon arrive.
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