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The Great Britain Guide logoThe Great Britain Guide

Castles · North West England

Hermitage Castle

In or near Newcastleton.

Norman & medievalHistoric Environment ScotlandFree admission♿ Wheelchair: limited👪 Family-friendly4.5 · 407 Google reviews

Hermitage Castle — Semi-ruined castle in Scotland.

Hermitage Castle, castles in North West England

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
  • Free entry
  • Family-friendly
  • Limited wheelchair access

Getting there & planning your visit

To visit Hermitage Castle, the nearest railway station is Whitrope Siding, located 5.1 km away. Entry is paid, and wheelchair access is limited. The postcode for sat-nav is TD9 0LU.

Directions on Google Maps →

Visit on historicenvironment.scot

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

See it from the streetimagery from 2022

Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0

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
Postcode
TD9 0LU
Parliamentary constituency
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Established
1240
Nearest railway station
Whitrope Siding5.1 km
Opening
1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm Last entry 5pm

Sources

Other places nearby

Nearby

Hermitage Castle From The Chapel Remains - geograph.org.uk - 4176727📷 5

Mountains & hills · North West England

Lady's Knowe

Lady's Knowe — mountain in scotland lowlands. Elevation: 223 m.

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On the B6399 at Hermitage Water - geograph.org.uk - 7653615📷 5

Archaeological sites · North West England

Hermitage Castle

Hermitage Castle — a archaeological site in scotland lowlands.

Hermitage Hill - geograph.org.uk - 3904056📷 5

Mountains & hills · North West England

Hermitage Hill

Hermitage Hill — mountain in scotland lowlands. Elevation: 403 m.

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Mountains & hills · North West England

Thinside Hill

Thinside Hill — mountain in scotland lowlands. Elevation: 228 m.

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Archaeological sites · North West England

Ninestane Rig

Ninestane Rig — a archaeological in scotland-lowlands, United Kingdom.

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Stones at Nine Stones Circle - geograph.org.uk - 6578294📷 5

Archaeological sites · North West England

Ninestane Rig

Ninestane Rig — archaeological in scotland lowlands.

Where to eat & stay near Hermitage Castle

Places to stay

Newcastleton - a 'model village' - geograph.org.uk - 5673159📷 5

Caravan parks · North West England

Lidalia Caravan Park

Lidalia Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.

Freelidalia.co.uk
Montagu Street, Newcastleton - geograph.org.uk - 4441030📷 7

Hotels · North West England

Grapes Hotel

Grapes Hotel — a hotel in scotland lowlands.

thegrapeshotel.co.uk
Milnholm Cross - geograph.org.uk - 6792699📷 5

Caravan parks · North West England

Riverview Holiday Park

Riverview Holiday Park — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.

Kielder United Reformed Church - geograph.org.uk - 4071665📷 5

Caravan parks · North East England

Ravenshill Forest Park

Ravenshill Forest Park — a caravan park in scotland lowlands.

Frost on the Bank, Ducks on the Water - geograph.org.uk - 8185969📷 5

Campsites · North East England

Kielder Campsite

Kielder Campsite — a campsite in scotland lowlands.

Freekieldercampsite.co.uk
Milntown - geograph.org.uk - 4919460📷 5

Campsites · North West England

Ewes Water Caravan and Camping Site

Ewes Water Caravan and Camping Site — a campsite in scotland lowlands.

More places run by Historic Environment Scotland

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Castles · North West England

Caerlaverock Castle

Caerlaverock Castle — former castle archaeological site in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, UK.

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Corgarff Castle📷 5

Castles · Scottish Highlands

Corgarff Castle

Corgarff Castle — castle and military museum in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

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Museums · Scottish Highlands

Duff House

Duff House — estate house in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.

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Dun Telve📷 5

Hill forts · Scottish Highlands

Dun Telve

Dun Telve — iron-age broch located about 4 kilometres southeast of the village of Glenelg, in Scotland, UK.

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Castles · South East England

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Castles · North West England

Mow Cop Castle

Mow Cop Castle — folly on the Cheshire and Staffordshire border, England, UK.

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Castles · North West England

Nantwich Castle

Nantwich Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom.

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Mill Lane, Castle Mill Farm - geograph.org.uk - 3747295📷 3

Castles · North West England

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Hermitage Castle?
Hermitage Castle is in the Scottish Lowlands, United Kingdom (postcode TD9 0LU).
What is Hermitage Castle?
Hermitage Castle — Semi-ruined castle in Scotland.
How do I get to Hermitage Castle?
The nearest railway station is Whitrope Siding, about 5.1 km away. Drivers can use 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.