Jedburgh’s Castle Jail was built in the 1820s on the site of the Royal Burgh's medieval castle.  The castle was once one of the most important Border strongholds but was destroyed in 1409.  The area later served as the site of the town gallows until the building of the Jail.

Jedburgh Castle Jail is the finest example of a Howard reform prison in Scotland, built in line with the latest ideas by the great prison reformer, John Howard.  Before this time, prisons were filthy, overcrowded and disease-ridden, with debtors, criminals, children and the unconvicted all crushed together. 

The Jail was shut in 1886 and its inmates transferred to Edinburgh.  The burgh has used parts of the prison for various purposes over the years and since the 1980s it has been open to the public.  The Jailer’s House explores the history of the town, while a visit to the cellblocks gives the visitor a taste of life for wardens and prisoners in the 1800s. You may be glad to return to the present day!

Inside a curtain wall, the prison is laid out as three detached two-storey rectangular blocks radiating from a central building – the jailer’s house.  The prison blocks are linked in a U shape arrangement by exercise yards.

In 2004 the first group of paranormal investigators visited the Jail and reported a high level of unexplained phenomenon.  Since then Jedburgh castle jail has been developing a reputation for  paranormal activity.  From a sinister dark figure wondering around the male and female cell blocks, to cell doors slamming shut on their own when there's no-one around and the feeling of constantly being followed. 

Blood curdling screams of the inmates can still be heard to this very day!  Reports of a ghostly piper that is known by all the locals has been seen by many on the battlements,  with reports of extreme poltergeist activity of stones being thrown. This location isn't for the faint hearted!