Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum

Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum

This Georgian prison was considered one of the most modern of its time. Three prison blocks show life of the period. Look inside individual cells and experience what an 1820s prison was like.

History

The Jail was built in 1823 on the site of Jedburgh's medieval castle, which was destroyed in 1409. The new jail was designed by Archibald Elliot as a Howard Reform prison, a result of agitation by social advocate John Howard. It may look like a medieval castle on the outside, but inside is a different story.

When it was built, the Jedburgh prison was considered a model for other gaols. The jail closed in 1868, but almost a century later it was restored and opened to the public as a museum.

What to See

The museum experience comes in two parts. The first part looks at the castle's role as the town jail, and you can see what daily life was like in a 19th-century reform prison.

The second part of the visitor experience covers the history of the royal burgh itself. See prehistoric finds excavated at Dunion Hill, artefacts from Jedburgh Friary, and memorabilia from the town's history, including official weights and measures and the town drums.

Jedburgh Castle Jail has plenty of children's activities that help to make this a delightful family day out.

The Jedburgh Ghost

The Jail is said to be haunted by the spectre of Edwin McArthur, a prisoner who was executed here in 1855. The ghost is said to threaten visitors, though to be fair, he didn't appear when our family visited, and the scariest thing we encountered was a bit of rain!