Horsburgh Castle

Horsburgh Castle is a stone tower house set on a hilltop above the River Tweed, with three walls still standing at about 12 meters high. The base measures roughly 10 by 8 meters and shows the typical L-shaped floor plan of Scottish fortified dwellings.

This fortification was built in the 16th century by the Horsburgh family as a defensive structure with an L-shaped plan using local stone. Changes were made to the structure during the late 19th century before it eventually fell into ruin.

The ruins show the building style of Scottish noble families, with thick walls and a vaulted cellar typical of fortified houses from that period. You can still see the defensive features that protected those who lived in this border region.

The ruins can be reached via the A72 road connecting Peebles and Galashiels, located near the village of Glentress. The steep drop toward the River Tweed requires careful footing when exploring the site and the surrounding terrain.

The hilltop location with sharp drops to the river provided natural defense advantages that were factored into the design. This geographical benefit reduced the need for additional fortifications and was key to why this site was chosen.

Location: Scottish Borders

GPS coordinates: 55.64060,-3.13668

Latest update: December 9, 2025 12:20