Kelso Abbey and the Earl of Hertford's assault on the Abbey in 1545 The turbulent years in Anglo-Scottish relations between 1543 and 1549 have become known as the “Rough Wooing”. In 1545 Henry VIII despatched…
Hume Castle, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders The prominent and striking outline of Hume Castle is visible for miles around, it dominates the flat landscape of the Merse, though it is in reality a sham. The existing…
Hermitage Castle, Liddesdale, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders The menacing ruins of Hermitage Castle, “The Strength of Liddesdale”, stand by the Hermitage Water high in Liddesdale. Few Scottish castles can vie with it in interest and emotional…
Greenknowe Tower, Gordon, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders Greenknowe stands half a mile west of the Berwickshire village of Gordon. The L-shaped tower consists of a four storey main block with a wing one storey higher. Above…
Gray Coat Pele-House, Dod Burn, Roxburghshire Pele-House on the slopes of Gray Coat above Dod Burn in Roxburghshire. High on the south-east slopes of Gray Coat, overlooking the Dod Burn valley are the remains of…
Gamescleuch Tower Gamescleuch Tower was built by Symon Scott, second son of Sir John Scott of Thirlstane, in the late 16th century. It stands in ruins on the left bank of Gamescleuch Burn, a tributary…
Evelaw Tower, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders Evelaw Tower is a rare and fortunate survival in Berwickshire where there are few remains of fortified buildings of the turbulent 16th century. The tower is remotely sited on the…
Ettleton Kirkyard, Liddesdale The site of Ettleton Church, which stood about a mile south-south-west of Newcastleton in Liddesdale, is known but there are now no visible remains. Its kirkyard contains several fragments of early tombstones,…
Elibank Castle, Selkirkshire Elibank was formerly known as Eliburn and overlooks the River Tweed from a commanding position high on its steep right bank. The late 16th century fortress is rudely built without any dressings…
Dryhope Tower, Site. Scottish Borders, Selkirkshire, Yarrow This strong little tower stands on shelving ground below Dryhope Rigg in the valley of the Yarrow Water and, though the roof has gone, is fairly intact for…
Cramalt Tower The remains of Cramalt Tower lie beneath the new Megget reservoir which now occupies most of the Megget valley in Selkirkshire. It is most fortunate that excavation work was undertaken on the site…
Cessford Castle and the Siege of 1523 The ruin of Cessford Castle, which in 1523 the English esteemed the third strongest in Scotland, stands on high ground overlooking the valley of the Kale Water, six…
Buckholm Tower, Nr Melrose, Roxburghshire, Scottish Borders Buckholm Tower stands isolated high on an exposed fellside above the valley of the Gala Water about a mile north of Galashiels. The 16th century tower house is…
Branxholm Castle Branxholm is situated about three miles west of Hawick on a bend in the river Teviot. It was once the main stronghold of the great and warlike family of Scott of Buccleuch. The…
