Hermitage Castle
A bleak border fortress on the windswept moors, known as the guardian gate of England, where Mary, Queen of Scots, rode to visit the badly wounded Earl of Bothwell.
Hermitage Castle stands alone on the moors of Liddesdale, its thick sandstone walls and massive archways giving it a stern, forbidding air. It is often called Scotland's most sinister castle. It was once a stronghold of the Warden of the Marches. In 1566, Mary, Queen of Scots, rode about 80 km there from Jedburgh to visit the wounded Earl of Bothwell, and fell seriously ill on the return journey. The exterior can be seen year-round. The interior is open roughly April–September, and admission is about £6. It lies about 25 km south of Hawick, on narrow roads, so you'll need to drive.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:30–17:30 (Apr–Sep)
Nearby sights
- Bowhill House
- Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum
- Jedburgh Abbey
- Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre
- Eildon Hills
- Abbotsford
- Priorwood Garden
- Melrose Abbey