Roxburgh Castle, Medieval castle ruins in Scottish Borders, Scotland
Roxburgh Castle stands as stone ruins on elevated ground between the rivers Tweed and Teviot near Kelso. The remains reveal foundations of walls, towers, and residential buildings that once formed a significant fortress.
King David I founded the castle in 1128 as a strategic stronghold in the border region. For centuries it remained a focal point of conflict as Scottish and English forces repeatedly fought for control.
The ruins reflect how castles served as centers of power, with spaces organized for both military command and royal residence. Walking through the grounds, you can sense the social order that once operated within these walls.
Access is via marked paths from a car park near Floors Castle Estate, best visited during daylight hours. The site is open and can be freely explored under normal weather conditions.
A dramatic event marked the castle in 1460 when King James II died from a cannon explosion during a siege. This sudden death of the monarch during a military operation reshaped the political situation in the region.
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