Floors Castle

Floors Castle is a country house on the banks of the River Tweed near Kelso, featuring a grand Georgian structure with towers and crenellations rising above the riverbank. The estate includes gardens, a terrace café, and an enclosed playground available during visiting hours.

William Adam designed and built the castle between 1721 and 1726 for John Ker, who became the first Duke of Roxburghe after supporting Scottish Union with England. An earlier tower house was incorporated into the foundation during construction, establishing the site's continuity as a fortified residence.

The castle houses art collections including paintings by Raeburn and Gainsborough alongside rare tapestries and porcelain pieces that arrived through the family's connection to American duchess Mae Goelet. These objects reflect how the residents expressed their wealth and international ties through the art they gathered.

The castle opens from May through September with access to gardens and a terrace café for refreshments. Children under 16 enter free when accompanied, though there is an enclosed play area available during these months.

This stands as Scotland's largest inhabited castle, merging Georgian elegance with older fortified structures hidden beneath its walls. The blending of different architectural periods within the same building offers a glimpse into how the site evolved from a medieval stronghold to a stately home.

Location: Scottish Borders

Location: Kelso

Architects: William Adam, William Henry Playfair

Website: https://floorscastle.com

GPS coordinates: 55.60478,-2.46010

Latest update: December 6, 2025 21:29