Floors Castle

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Floors Castle in 1880.

Floors Castle in Kelso, Scotland is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe. Despite its name it is a country house, rather than a fortress. It has the common 18th century layout of main block and two symmetrical service wings. It was built in around 1721 by William Adam for the 1st Duke, possibly to a design by SIr John Vanbrugh, and incorporating an earlier tower house. In the 19th century it was embellished with turrets and battlements by William Playfair for the 6th Duke. It is now open to the public.

The castle featured in the 1984 movie Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes.

[edit] Hauntings

There are said to be many ghosts which inhabit Floors Castle, the most famous of which was sighted in 1740 by the 4th Duke of Roxburghe as a boy. This ghost is believed to be of his grandmother Margaret Hay, the 1st Duchess, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Her ghost can be heard sobbing in the Long Gallery. There have been several reports since, the most recently by Mary, the first wife of the 9th Duke, in 1952 . Roxburghe's reputation as a haunted house provided the basis and inspiration for M. R. James 1904 Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.