Friars Carse

Friars Carse is a mansion with a round tower and rectangular second stage, sitting within 18 hectares of parkland along the River Nith. The grounds feature lawns, wooded areas, and direct access to the river.

The present building was constructed around 1873 on the foundations of an earlier house and received extensions between 1905 and 1909 by architects Barbour and Bowie. A monastery established by Melrose monks in the 13th century had previously stood on the land.

Robert Burns, the Scottish poet, used the Hermitage, a small building from 1785 on the grounds, to write several of his works. This quiet retreat by the water was an important place of inspiration for the artist.

The property has operated as a hotel since 1938 and contains various rooms with private bathrooms along with shared spaces such as a paneled entrance hall and a snooker room. Visitors should note that the estate is primarily accessible to hotel guests.

The site carries a name rooted in its medieval past, derived from a monastic community that once inhabited the land. This connection to the friars who lived here centuries ago remains embedded in the place name itself.