Medieval Borders · Kelso
Relics of Roxburgh Village: Echoes from a Lost Scottish Town
The once-great royal burgh of Roxburgh now lies buried beneath fields, its legacy reduced to just two surviving stone relics. In this exploration, those weathered fragments become the last whispers of a lost medieval town that once rivalled Edinburgh.
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The once-great royal burgh of Roxburgh now lies buried beneath fields, its legacy reduced to just two surviving stone relics. In this exploration, those weathered fragments become the last whispers of a lost medieval town that once rivalled Edinburgh. Load the film below, then press play to watch it here in the archive.
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Privacy & cookiesThe ancient town of Roxburgh lies buried and forgotten. It is often thought that no relics survive from this once hugely important Royal Burgh ( with the exception of the scant remains of the castle walls).
But 2 stones do survive above ground…
Near Kelso, Scottish Borders
Vanished but Not Forgotten
Once one of the most significant towns in medieval Scotland — a bustling Royal Burgh, a crossroads of trade and politics — Roxburgh has now all but vanished. Buried beneath fields near the confluence of the Tweed and Teviot rivers, its buildings erased by centuries of war, decay, and the relentless march of time.
But not everything has been lost.
In this film, I go searching for what little still survives of this legendary town — two ancient stone relics, hidden in plain sight, and rich with meaning.
Roxburgh: Scotland’s Forgotten Capital?
At its height, Roxburgh was as important as Edinburgh or Stirling. With its mighty castle towering above the rivers and its location commanding the routes between England and Scotland, it played a key role in the Wars of Independence, serving as a base for both Scottish and English kings.
The castle ruins still cling to the earth, barely visible, but the town itself has disappeared — streets, markets, homes, churches… all swallowed by the soil.
Or so it was thought.
Two Stones Remain…
Despite assumptions that no trace of Roxburgh village survives, there are two solitary stone relics that still stand — above ground — bearing silent witness to the grandeur that once was.
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The first is a carved window arch, almost Gothic in design, reused in a later farm building.
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The second appears to be part of a doorway or ecclesiastical feature, perhaps from the town’s church or abbey.
Both sit unmarked, quiet, and uncelebrated — but they are physical, tangible pieces of Roxburgh’s past, forgotten by history books but not yet lost.
Why This Matters
Finding these stones isn’t just about archaeology or architecture. It’s about memory. About reconnecting with a town that was once central to the life of Scotland but has since faded into near-total obscurity.
These stones remind us:
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That history is everywhere.
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That nothing is ever truly gone.
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That even the most powerful towns can vanish — but not entirely.
Want to See Them?
If you’re in the Kelso area and want to walk in the footsteps of forgotten kings, head south of the town towards the old castle site. Keep your eyes peeled — the landscape still holds secrets. And sometimes, the smallest relics tell the biggest stories.
Featured image: Relics of Roxburgh Village: Echoes from a Lost Scottish Town
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