Ferniehirst Castle

Scotland > South of Scotland > Roxburghshire > Ferniehirst Castle

Ferniehirst Castle was built by the Kerr Family in 1476 and is reputed to be built for left-handed people. You can still see this with examples such as the 'left-handed' stair case. The castle was destroyed many times in its early years. The English sacked Ferniehirst Castle in 1523 and with the help of the French it was attacked and retaken in 1549, however the English recaptured it again in 1570. James IV nearly completely destroyed the castle in 1593 as way of punishment to the Laird who had helped the enemies. Between 1934 and 1984 the Scottish Youth Hostel Association used the castle and in 1983 the Marquess of Lothian bought the castle and commenced restoration and Ferniehirst Castle was finally opened in 1986 to the public.The 'Green Lady' is said to haunt the castle.