Friars Carse, Category B listed building near River Nith, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
Friars Carse is a country house with a round tower and a rectangular upper section, set along the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The building sits within parkland that includes open lawns, wooded areas, and direct access to the riverbank.
The current house was built around 1873 on the site of an earlier structure and extended between 1905 and 1909 by architects Barbour and Bowie. Before that, a monastery founded by monks from Melrose had stood on the land since the 13th century.
Robert Burns used a small wooden retreat on the grounds, known as the Hermitage, to write some of his poems. The structure still stands and can be visited by those staying at the hotel.
The estate has operated as a hotel since 1938, so the house and grounds are mainly open to guests staying there. Anyone wishing to explore the property should contact the hotel directly before visiting.
Burns is said to have carved an inscription inside the Hermitage that can still be seen today. This small detail makes the hut feel less like a historical exhibit and more like a place someone actually used.
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