Roxburgh Castle
Scottish Borders, Scotland
Key facts
- Operator
- Private owner (Roxburghe Estates)
- Condition
- Ruin
- Access
- Free, open access
- Nearest station
- Tweedbank, 11.8 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- Once one of Scotland's most important royal castles; only a large mound and fragmentary wall stumps remain.
Pinpoint
Kay Brae, Kelso TD5 8LT
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check with the operator before you travel.
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Once one of Scotland's most important royal castles and the site where King James II was killed by an exploding cannon during its siege, Roxburgh is now little more than a grass-covered mound and a few fragments of wall. Reviewers describe a rewarding but genuinely rough walk to reach it.
At a glance
Who to know
King James II · killed here by an exploding cannon during the siege
Worth the trip
The views over Floors Castle and the Teviot valley from the ruins, which reviewers say make the climb worthwhile despite how little masonry remains.
Before you go
The site is overgrown and reached by a rough path with no formal route - reviewers strongly recommend long trousers for the nettles and sturdy footwear for the climb.
What visitors say
Roxburgh Castle reviews · 4.3 / 5 across 38 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently warn that the site is overgrown and the walk is rough, recommending long trousers for nettles and sturdy footwear for the climb.
Despite the difficulty, most say the views and sense of history - Roxburgh was once one of Scotland's most important royal castles - make it worthwhile.
“Went to see the castle ruins I wouldn't recommend actually walking up to it's not worth all the nettle stings...the walk along the river path was lovely”- Sammi Ross, visitor review
Within reach of Edinburgh (38 miles) - see what else is nearby.
Walks at Roxburgh Castle
Roxburgh Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Turn left and walk along the river for a short while.”- Charmaine Howard, visitor review
Also worth knowing: the site itself is free to enter.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
King David I · c.1128
Tradition suggests King David I founded Roxburgh; first recorded evidence appears around 1128. The castle alternated between Scottish and English control repeatedly. In 1460, during a Scottish siege, an exploding bombard killed King James II of Scotland; the Scots subsequently captured and demolished the fortress.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “We parked up along side the A699 just passed seeing the ruins to the left on a hill.” - Charmaine Howard
- Terrain & accessibility
- “A little difficult to get to, with steep climbs and the area is quite wild.” - Richard Armstrong
Common questions about Roxburgh Castle
Where is Roxburgh Castle?
Roxburgh Castle is in Scottish Borders, Scotland, at Kay Brae, Kelso TD5 8LT.
Is Roxburgh Castle free to visit?
Yes - Roxburgh Castle is a free, open-access site with no ticket booth, looked after by Private owner (Roxburghe Estates). There may still be a charge for nearby parking, and open-access arrangements can change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel.
Are there walks at Roxburgh Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Turn left and walk along the river for a short while.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Roxburgh Castle?
The views over Floors Castle and the Teviot valley from the ruins, which reviewers say make the climb worthwhile despite how little masonry remains.
Is Roxburgh Castle a ruin or still intact?
Roxburgh Castle is a ruin - Once one of Scotland's most important royal castles; only a large mound and fragmentary wall stumps remain.
