Blanerne Castle

Blanerne Castle is a tower house in ruins situated along the north bank of Whiteadder Water in the Scottish Borders. The stone remains include a kitchen block and a guard house that reveal the basic layout of the medieval stronghold.

The castle was destroyed in 1544 during the Rough Wooing when forces under the Earl of Hertford attacked the site, leaving only partial structures intact. This military campaign by English forces during the reign of Henry VIII ended its use as a defensive stronghold.

The castle appears in a traditional Borders song that links it with Bunkle and Billie, reflecting its role as a notable stronghold in the medieval landscape. This reference shows how the site was woven into local memory and identity.

The site sits next to Whiteadder Water, which offers fishing opportunities for salmon and trout during the fishing season. Access may depend on estate rules and seasonal conditions, so it is worth checking locally before visiting.

The Lumsdaine family held the property for more than four centuries before it changed hands in 1920, making it one of the longest family-held estates in the region. This remarkable continuity reveals how some Border properties maintained stability despite centuries of regional conflict.