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Roxburgh Castle

📍 Scottish Borders, Scotland

3.5 ★★★½ 30 reviews

About

Roxburgh Castle is a ruined royal castle that overlooks the junction of the rivers Tweed and Teviot, in the Borders region of Scotland. The town and castle developed into the royal burgh of Roxburgh, which the Scots destroyed along with the castle after capturing it in 1460. Today the ruins stand in the grounds of Floors Castle, the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe, across the river from Kelso.

One of the four great royal burghs of medieval Scotland, Roxburgh Castle controlled a vital crossing of the Tweed. Repeatedly fought over during the Wars of Independence. In 1460, King James II was killed here when a cannon exploded beside him during the siege to recapture it from the English. His queen urged the army on, and the castle was taken and demolished. Only earthworks survive.