Castles · Scottish Lowlands
Hermitage Castle
Hermitage Castle — Semi-ruined castle in Scotland.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Whitrope Siding · 5.1 km
- Paid entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Hermitage Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1240. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Owned by Historic Environment Scotland. Managed by Historic Environment Scotland. Wikidata describes it as: "Semi-ruined castle in Scotland". Coordinates: 55.2556°, -2.7933°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It stands in the remote valley of the Hermitage Water, part of Liddesdale in Roxburghshire. It is under the care of Historic Scotland. The castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric castles in Scotland.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From Historic Environment Scotland
Get a flavour of the history of Hermitage Castle, targeted for 400 years for its role in controlling the Scottish Middle March in border country. Contact us today for more information.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Hermitage Castle is a semi-ruined castle in the border region of Scotland. It stands in the remote valley of the Hermitage Water, part of Liddesdale in Roxburghshire. It is under the care of Historic Scotland. The castle has a reputation, both from its history and its appearance, as one of the most sinister and atmospheric castles in Scotland.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
It is thought that the name derives from Old French: – guardhouse. The castle was known as the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain, and the "Strength of Liddesdale". Hermitage Castle was supposedly built by one Nicholas de Soulis around 1240, in a typical Norman Motte and Bailey pattern. It stayed in his family until approximately 1320 when his descendant, William de Soulis, forfeited it because of suspected witchcraft and the attempted regicide of King Robert I of Scotland. Legend has it that Soulis's tenantry, having suffered unbearable depredations, arrested him, and at the nearby Ninestane Rig (a megalithic circle), had him encased in lead sheet and boiled to death. In…
Visiting
The castle remained a property of the Scotts until 1930, when it was handed over to the care of the Nation. It is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, and is open to visitors from 1 April to 31 October each year. It is closed during the winter season. The castle, together with a series of ancillary features, is protected as a scheduled monument.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.2556, -2.7933
- District
- Scottish Borders
- Postcode
- TD9 0LU
- Parliamentary constituency
- Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
- Established
- 1240
- Nearest railway station
- Whitrope Siding — 5.1 km
- Opening
- 1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm Last entry 5pm
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q1613640 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Hermitage Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Hermitage Castle.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Hermitage Castle?
- Hermitage Castle is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode TD9 0LU).
- When was Hermitage Castle built?
- Built or established in 1240.
- Who runs Hermitage Castle?
- Hermitage Castle is operated by Historic Environment Scotland.
- Is Hermitage Castle a listed building?
- Hermitage Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Does Hermitage Castle charge admission?
- Hermitage Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Hermitage Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Whitrope Siding, about 5.1 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode TD9 0LU.