Branxholme Castle, Medieval castle near Hawick, Scotland.
Branxholme Castle is a stone tower house that stands on raised ground near the River Teviot, a short distance southwest of Hawick in the Scottish Borders. The tower rises five stories and combines original stonework with sections rebuilt over the centuries, giving the structure a layered appearance.
The first structure on this site was built in 1420 and the castle changed hands and suffered damage several times during the long conflicts along the Anglo-Scottish border. In 1570 the Scotts themselves set fire to it to keep it out of English hands, then rebuilt it shortly after.
Branxholme Castle is closely tied to Clan Scott, one of the most powerful families along the Scottish Borders. Walter Scott drew on this place in his poem The Lay of the Last Minstrel, giving the tower a literary reputation that still draws visitors today.
The castle is located about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Hawick and can be seen from the surrounding countryside. It now operates as a wedding and events venue, so access for casual visitors is generally not available without a prior arrangement.
In medieval times, ten armed knights were kept permanently at the castle as a standing guard, which was unusual for a private residence in the region. This arrangement suggests the place was treated more like a small military post than a family home during the worst of the border conflicts.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
