Floors Castle

The house as it stands today is the product of two main phases of construction. The first, constructed between 1721 and 1726 for the 1st Duke, was from architect William Adam, and was perhaps inspired by an original design from Sir John Vanbrugh. The Georgian house was created from a pre-existing house, on a natural terrace overlooking the Tweed, which was one of the seats of the family. Floors became the primary residence after 1730. The grandeur and setting of the house prompted Sir Walter Scott to declare Floors, ‘a kingdom fit for Oberon and Titania to dwell in’.

During the time of the 6th Duke, between 1836 and 1847, the Edinburgh Architect William Playfair brought the original building into harmony with its landscape park by grafting on an appropriately fairytale silhouette, as well as a number of extensions and the coach port. The result is one of the most iconic buildings in Scotland, with Playfair writing in 1838, ‘The Duke and Duchess are extremely cordial and much pleased with the alterations on their house and are quite resolved to do all I recommend inside as well as outside’.

A modern estate
The Estate is run as a modern business, with a variety of revenue streams and interests. It comprises some 52,000 acres (21,000 hectares), and encompasses a variety of Borders landscapes, from the Cheviots to the Lammermuirs, and the fertile land of the Tweed valley.

Farming at Floors
With such a variety of topography, the type of farming carried out over the Estate’s land is equally diverse resulting in a variety of produce. The in-hand farming operation comprises sheep and cattle, Cheviot lamb in particular is unique to the Borders and much sought after.

The major arable crops are wheat and oil seed rape. Malting barley, potatoes and vegetables are also grown. Other activities on the Estate relate to Forestry, Sporting pursuits, Green Energy, Conservation and property management.