Floors Castle

Floors Castle has been home to the Dukes of Roxburghe since the house was built by William Adam for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe in 1721. What you will see at Floors Castle is an evolving story of a house and the impressions left by succeeding generations. The roof alterations by the 2nd Duke, the external remodeling by the 6th Duke and the interior modifications by the 8th Duchess are just some of the changes effected over the years.

Like any family home (the Duke & Duchess live in the Castle), it is continuing to undergo change, and these changes reflect individual tastes and ideas which give the house its warmth, life and charm.

History

The site for the building of Floors Castle is a natural terrace overlooking the River Tweed and facing the Cheviot Hills, the heartland of the family's Estate. It lies on the opposite river bank to Roxburgh Castle, once the strongest fortress along the former march with England.

In 1721, William Adam was commissioned by the 1st Duke to make additions to the eastern end of an existing tower-house to create a plain, but symmetrical, Georgian country house.

The 6th Duke invited the leading architect in Edinburgh, William Playfair, to remodel the castle between 1837 and 1847. He drew his inspiration for Floors from the highly ornamented picturesque style of Heriot's Hospital in Edinburgh. The result is a romantic fairytale castle with its roofscape of turrets, pinnacles and cupolas

The Castle

The Castle is entered by the carriage porch added by Playfair in 1843. The design of the Entrance Hall is a reminder that Floors has an earlier house at its heart

The Ante Room takes full advantage of the panoramic view overlooking the River Tweed, the Cheviot Hills and the remains of Roxburgh Castle.

In the park can be seen a holly tree marking the spot where King James II of Scotland was killed in 1460, when his own cannon exploded while laying siege to Roxburgh Castle.

The early Georgian decoration of the Sitting Room makes it easy to identify with the work of William Adam.

Duchess May, wife of the 8th Duke, had this room refitted in 1930, including the black marble hearth from Lenygons, who were leading specialists in period rooms.

The Drawing Room was also refitted by Lenygons in 1930 to accommodate the set of Brussells tapestries known as ' The Triumphs of the Gods '.

The Needle Room in the south-east turret retains its Georgean Cove and originally served as the Closet to the State Bedroom.

Playfair's Billiard Room was speedily re-fitted in 1842 so that it could serve as a temporary Dining Room while the principal Dining Room in the West Front was extended and redecorated.

The Dining Room is now used to display a selection of silver-gilt, which include works of art by many of Britain's greatest silversmiths.

The State Dining Room was the principal Dining Room in the West Front of the castle which Playfair had extended and redecorated.

It is obvious why Playfair chose this room to impress guests, as the views overlooking the River Tweed to the Cheviot Hills are breathtakingly beautiful.

The Ballroom with two walls of large bay windows was added by Playfair in 1842 to command the panoramic view across the River Tweed.

The billiard table occupies Playfair's State Bedroom, now united with part of the adjoining State Dressing Room, to create a larger Billiard Room.