Bite-about Pele

Bite-about Pele stands in the rolling farmland of Berwickshire, a ruined 16th-century pele tower or bastle house. It lies between the villages of Fogo and Swinton, south of Duns, in the parish of Eccles. The Trotter family still own the site today. Its name comes from a 16th-century siege when the defenders rationed food one bite at a time. The thick walls and narrow windows show how the tower was built for defence rather than comfort. The tower is worth the journey because it is one of the few pele towers left in the Scottish Borders. Pele towers were built to protect families and livestock from raids. Bite-about’s name and history link it to the rough border warfare of the 16th century. The Trotters have kept the site as a family property for generations. Visitors can see how small but strong these buildings were. Inside, the tower is mostly ruinous, with only parts of the walls still standing. The ground inside is uneven and grassy, showing where rooms once were. From the site there are wide views over the surrounding fields and hills. The wind carries the sound of sheep and skylarks across the open land. It is a quiet place, where the past feels close but not crowded.