Ferniehirst Castle

Ferniehirst Castle is an occupied and extended tower house of the 16th century built for, and still occupied by, the Kerr family. It is built on high ground overlooking the Jed Water, and is open to the public a few days a year for a fee. The castle as it stands today is a long mansion with a tower house at one end and the remnants of a courtyard; the ground floor of the mansion is isolated as a group of vaulted cellars, with the first floor largely taken up by state rooms. The square tower at the western end contains a large staircase accessing the first floor.

The Kerr family of Ferniehirst was one of two main branches, and regularly held the title Warden of the Middle March in the 15th and 16th century along with their cousins of Cessford. They acquired Ferniehirst after the fall of the Black Douglas family. It was regularly targeted by the English and repeatedly damaged in these assaults. In 1598 the old tower was massively extended to the form we see today, but further wings surrounded the now lost courtyard meaning it was a truly huge mansion of the type. Interpretation of the building is still a matter of debate, but it is definitely worth a visit. And please, no questions about left-handed Kerrs – its a myth, and Ferniehirst has staircases going both clockwise and anti-clockwise!

HES Canmore database entry
Official Ferniehirst Castle website