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Scottish Borders trail
Fast Castle
Fast Castle is a ruined castle and the remains are that of the castle rebuilt in 1521 but there are records of a castle on the site in 1333. The castle is on a promontory with cliffs of about 100-150 feet. More on Fast Castle
Greenknowe Tower
Greenknowe Tower was built in 1581 to the west of the village of Gordon (probably derived from the Gaelic for 'Gor Dun' meaning great fort). The walls of the four story tower house remain sturdy but the roof is now missing. More on Greenknowe Tower
Thirlestane Castle
Originally dating from the thirteenth century, it was rebuilt in 1590 and added to in the seventeenth century and refurbished and extended in 1840. The castle is noted for it's collection of furniture, paintings and porcelain along with a toy collection. More on Thirlestane Castle
Whitslaid Tower
The ruins of this fifteenth of sixteenth century tower are oblong in shape and the 7ft thick walls with internal stairway enclose an area of 12ft by 16ft 10ins. It is located in a good defensive position with the Leader Water on one side and a ravine to the north. More on Whitslaid Tower
Humes Castle
These are the remains of a late twelfth/early thirteenth castle. It is positioned in a good defensible position on a rocky hill overlooking the Merse with views toward the English Border. The keep and other sections of the castle remain along with the walls that were built in the eighteenth century. The site is north from Kelso in the Scottish Borders and off the B6364 towards Greenlaw. More on Humes Castle
Cessford Castle
This ruined castle was built in the mid-fifteenth century and belonged to the Ker family. It has been the site of battles in the sixteenth century. More on Cessford Castle
Smailholm Tower
Smailholm Tower is a fifteenth century tower house standing at 65 feet in height with walls nine feet thick. It stands on top of a rocky crag and was designed to withstand English raids. The tower started to fall into ruin in the eighteenth century but was restored in the 1980's. More on Smailholm Tower
Hermitage Castle
This medieval border castle is built on the site of an original structure built in about 1240 by Nicholas de Soules. It is in a strategic position given it's proximity to the English border. The present structure was built from about 1360 and subsequently has been remodelled and adapted. It was abandoned in the early seventeenth century and there continues to be local legend of the castle being associated with witch craft and hauntings. More on Hermitage Castle