Ferniehirst Castle
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Ferniehirst Castle (sometimes spelt Ferniehurst) is an L-shaped construction on the east bank of the river Jed about a mile and a half south of Jedburgh, Borders, Scotland. This castle, which is privately owned is open to the public without charge at limited times.
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[edit] History
The original castle, built by the Kers (or Kerrs) around 1470, was occupied by the English in 1547, but they were dislodged by a force of Sir John Ker's clansmen, reinforced by French auxiliaries. The building was undermined, and construction of the present castle began in the late sixteenth century. The new castle was damaged by the English in 1570, after Sir Thomas Ker had raided England. James VI attacked the castle in 1593 as the Kers had helped the Earl of Bothwell.
The Kers were wardens of the Middle and East Marches.
The building was used as a Youth Hostel from 1934 to 1984, apart from the Second world war, when it was a billet for troops.
[edit] Description
The shorter arm of this L-plan fortalice is the 16th century tower, containing the stair turret. The stair is in a spiral corbelled out in the angle. - the corbelling apparently more for elegance than for necessity. There are many shot-holes, allowing a wide angle for musket fire, and of the more restricted shut-holes used for ventillation.
Ferniehirst also has a romatic array of conically-capped corner turrets. These - known as studies - are not primarily defensive: they open from the rooms of the upper floor. There is some renaissance decoration around the windows and doors. The castle is approached through a classically-styled archway.
[edit] Traditions
The Kerr family was said to be left-handed, and their spiral stair-cases are also said to have spiralled to the left.
The castle is said to be haunted by a Green Lady.
[edit] Bibliography
- The Castles of Scotland, Martin Coventry, Goblinshead 2001
- Scotland’s Castles, Hugh Fenwick, Robert Hale, 1976
- Collins Encyclopedia of Scotland, John & Julia Keay (Editors), HarperCollins, 1994
