In 1882-4, Frances Groome's Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland described Cessford like this:
Cessford, a hamlet of Eckford parish, NE Roxburghshire, 6 miles ENE of Jedburgh, and 3 WSW of Morebattle. It stands on the right bank of Cessford Burn which, rising in Oxnam parish, runs 4¾ miles north-byeastward to Kale Water. Cessford Castle, ¼ mile NE of the hamlet, was the seat from 1446 or thereabouts of the Kers of Cessford, ancestors of the Duke of Roxburghe, and gives to the Duke the title of Baron Ker of Cessford (16160, and of Marquess of Cessford (1707). ...
A place of great military importance, the centre of many a martial enterprise, it was besieged in 1545 by the Earl of Surrey, who said that 'it might never have been taken had the assailed been able to go on defending.' It was protected by a moat and an outer and an inner wall, and is now represented by the roofless ruin of its keep, 67 feet long, 60 broad, and 65 high, with walls 12 feet in thickness, and with a dismal dungeon of remarkable character, and a subterranean vault. An ash is still pointed out as the 'Jeddart justice' tree; and a large artificial cavern, called Hobbie Ker's Cave, is in a steep bank by the burn, ½ mile N of the castle, and might be often passed and repassed without being observed.
Cessford through time
Cessford is now part of Scottish Borders district. Click here for graphs and data of how Scottish Borders has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Cessford itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Cessford, in Scottish Borders and Roxburghshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/21368
Date accessed: 25th April 2024
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