Ferniehirst Castle
Ferniehirst Castle , also Ferniehurst Castle , is a mansion near the Scottish town of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders Council Area . In 1971 the structure was included in the Scottish monument lists in the highest monument category A. Furthermore, together with today's visitor center, it forms a category A monument ensemble. The visitor center is also independently protected as a category A monument.
history
In the course of the 13th and 14th centuries, the Kerr clan gained importance through marriage. As followers of George Douglas, 4th Earl of Angus , they were awarded large parts of the upper valley of Jed Forest in 1457, including Ferniehirst. Around 1490 they built a defensive tower on the site. This was razed in 1523, but rebuilt. French troops occupied the building in 1549 before English troops burned it down in 1570. Even though it was in ruins, the Ferniehirst Tower was still inhabited. Since the Clan Kerr was one of the supporters of Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell , the Scottish King James VI. finally demolish the ruinous fortification in 1593.
Using preserved foundations and vaults, the Kerr clan began building what is now Ferniehirst Castle. The work was initially completed in 1598 and Ferniehirst served as the seat of the regional lairds from the Kerr clan. Substantial changes and extensions were made in several construction phases over the centuries. After Ferniehirst Castle was in a ruinous condition after a long vacancy in the early 20th century, it was restored in the 1930s and used as a youth hostel from 1934. During the Second World War it was used to house troops. Ferniehirst Castle was opened to visitors in 1986 after the lease with the Scottish Youth Hostel Association ended. It is the seat of the Kerr clan.
Visitor center
Today's visitor center was built as a chapel in the 17th century. The elongated quarry stone building shows stylistic details of the Renaissance architecture. The south-facing front is three axes wide. Above the central arched portal there is a coat of arms of the Lords Jedburgh . The flanking lattice windows are made with stone window crosses. Three hipped dormers emerge from the final, slate-covered gable roof . The gable ends are made as a stepped gable .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
- ↑ a b Listed Building - Entry . In: Historic Scotland .
- ↑ a b Entry on Ferniehirst Castle in Canmore, the database of Historic Environment Scotland (English)
- ↑ a b Information from Clan Kerr
- ^ History of Ferniehirst Castle
Web links
- Internet presence of the property
- Entry on Ferniehirst Castle in Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland database
Coordinates: 55 ° 27 '15.8 " N , 2 ° 33' 4.2" W.