CASTLES JEDBURGH

Ferniehirst Castle is a 16th-century fortress standing high above the Jed Water near Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. Built in 1476 as a pele tower by the Kerr family, who have owned it since the 14th century, the castle features grand apartments and a turret library. Though sacked and damaged during its turbulent borderland history, it was rebuilt in 1598 and now operates as an exclusive-use self-catering venue with rooms containing museum exhibits of family history.

Jedburgh Castle Jail is a 19th-century prison built in the 1820s on the site of the original Jedburgh Castle in the Scottish Borders. Despite its fortress-like appearance, the structure represents a distinct chapter in Scottish penal history and was notably described as "the most comfortable jail in Scotland." Today, it functions as a museum housed within the restored jailer's residence, featuring exhibits on local history from ancient times to the present, displays of traditional local industries, and profiles of notable figures including mathematician Mary Somerville and kaleidoscope inventor Sir David Brewster. The site offers free admission with a unique blend of historical and cultural attractions.