Floors Castle


Grandiose Floors Castle is Scotland's largest inhabited mansion, home to the Duke of Roxburghe, and overlooks the Tweed about a mile west of Kelso. Built by William Adam in the 1720s, the original Georgian simplicity was 'improved' in the 1840s with the addition of somewhat OTT battlements and turrets. Inside, view the vivid colours of 17th-century Brussels tapestries in the drawing room and intricate oak carvings in the ornate ballroom. The walled garden is a highlight of the extensive grounds.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Kelso Abbey

1.21 MILES

Once one of the richest abbeys in southern Scotland, Kelso Abbey was built by the Tironensians, an order founded in Picardy and brought to the Borders…

2. Smailholm Tower

4.54 MILES

Perched on a rocky knoll above a small lake, this narrow stone tower provides one of the most evocative sights in the Borders and keeps its bloody history…

3. Mellerstain House

4.81 MILES

Finished in 1778, this is considered to be Scotland's finest Robert Adam–designed mansion. It is huge and famous for its classic elegance, ornate…

4. Dryburgh Abbey

7.66 MILES

This is the most beautiful and complete of the Border abbeys, partly because the neighbouring town of Dryburgh no longer exists (another victim of the…

5. Coldstream Museum

8.76 MILES

The proud history of the Coldstream Guards is covered here. Formed as part of Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army in 1650, they played a significant part in…

6. Walk This Way

8.8 MILES

Pop into this army surplus store on the main road to see the small but atmospheric basement collection of WWII memorabilia.

7. Mary, Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre

9.46 MILES

Mary stayed at this beautiful 16th-century tower house in 1566 after her famous ride to visit the injured Earl of Bothwell, her future husband, at…

8. Jedburgh Abbey

9.62 MILES

Dominating the town skyline, this was the first of the great Border abbeys to be passed into state care, and it shows – audio and visual presentations…