Hume Castle

Hume Castle stands on a high ridge above the village of Hume in the Scottish Borders, two miles north of Stichill. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century by the Hume family, it was once a stronghold of the Wardens of the Eastern March. The castle’s massive walls were rebuilt in the 18th century, though parts of the original keep remain. It overlooks the Merse, a fertile plain, and once served as a beacon to warn of invasion. The site is protected as a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Historic Environment Scotland. The castle played a key role in Scotland’s turbulent history during the 16th century. It was captured in 1547 during the Rough Wooing by the English under the Lord Protector Somerset. Lady Mariotta Haliburton, defending the castle, surrendered after negotiations rather than face bombardment. The English held it briefly before Lord Home recaptured it in 1548 with help from a local servant. French and Spanish troops later garrisoned the castle at the request of Mary of Guise. Visitors today see the grand 18th-century walls and remnants of the medieval keep. The site offers wide views across the Merse to the English border at Carter Bar. The surrounding landscape is peaceful, with the village of Hume nearby. The castle’s history is marked by sieges and shifts in power, from the Homes to the English and back again. Its dramatic past and commanding position make it a striking ruin to explore.