Ferniehirst Castle, Jedburgh - Wee Guides to Scotland castles and mansions

Wee Guides to Scotland
Ferniehirst Castle, Jedburgh

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

Ferniehirst Castle consists of an extended and altered tower house, which incorporates the cellars from the 16th-century castle, with later wings and extensions. The original entrance leads to a stair known as the 'Left-Handed Staircase', the story being that when Sir Andrew Kerr, who was himself left-handed, returned from Flodden in 1513 he had his followers trained to use their weapons with their left hands. This is said to be the origin of 'Corrie-fisted' or 'Kerr-handed'. The castle was taken and sacked by the English in 1523, but was recaptured with French help in 1549, and the leader of the English garrison beheaded. Sir Thomas Kerr, protector of Mary, Queen of Scots, invaded England in 1570, hoping to have her released, but all that resulted was an raid on Scotland, during which Ferniehirst was damaged. James VI attacked the castle in 1593, because of help given by the family to the Earl of Bothwell, and the castle was rebuilt about 1598. Collection of portraits. Turret library.

Directions:	Off A68, 1.5 miles S of Jedburgh, Borders.
Ownership:	Pri/LA	01835 862201	Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NT 653179 80
Open:	Daily July 11.00am-4.00pm, except Mondays..
Key:	P S WC £	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk