The history of the castle:

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 Roxburghe Family Estate.

It lies on the opposite river bank to Roxburghe Castle, once the strongest fortress along the former border 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 on the Scotland’s leading architect, 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 roof scape of turrets, pinnacles and cupolas.

I found it a little disappointing that provisions haven’t been made to view the whole design of the garden from a higher viewpoint.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

There is nothing better then a nice cup of tea to quench your thirst and refresh the soul.

This cuppa was taken in taken in a building adjoining the walled garden that featured in my previous posts. There were many tempting delights from fresh sandwiches and light lunches to cakes… I was just content with my cup of tea.

Within the cafe there is also a deli counter with pies, quiches and fresh ham and beef off the bone which I am sure the locals enjoy taking home.

Here, Queen Victoria took tea during her visit in 1867. Today’s visitors can enjoy the splendid food and refreshments on sale at The Terrace restaurant. home bakes, cakes and shortbread, traditional game pies, pates, preserves and jams are all made in the kitchens of Floors Castle. All served in the small restaurant or outside in the terrace that looks onto these delightful gardens.

Many of the great gardening traditions can be seen here – espalier fruit trees, topiary and traditional Scottish garden favourites. Ornamental borders also co-exist alongside soft fruit and vegetable beds, surrounding the peach glass house. The most remarkable feature of the garden are the original Victorian iron poles, dripping with huge swags of crimson American pillar rambling roses and purple clematis.