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A panelled room in Mary Queen of Scots' House, Jedburgh, with a fireplace, a painting above it and portraits on the walls.
Scottish Borders

Mary Queen of Scots' House

The 16th-century house in Jedburgh where Mary Queen of Scots stayed for a month in 1566, now a free museum of her life.

Welcome

In 1566, Mary Queen of Scots came to Jedburgh and stayed for a month in this 16th-century house.

It was a turbulent time. From here she made a hard ride across the hills to see the Earl of Bothwell at Hermitage Castle, and on her return she fell so gravely ill that her life was feared for. She is said to have wished she had died in Jedburgh.

Today the house is a free museum of her extraordinary life. Paintings, objects and textiles introduce the people around her, and the Last Letter Room tells of the final letter she wrote before her execution. An audio tour is available in several languages, with guides for children.

The house stands in its garden on Queen Street in Jedburgh. It opens from March to November, with shorter hours in March and November.

A little further outHermitage CastleWhere Mary rode to see Bothwell.37 min by roadSee itStone tower and archway of Hermitage Castle set among open hills
Before you go

April to October, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm; March and November, daily, 10am to 3pm; closed December to February.

Free.

Where
Queen Street, Jedburgh, TD8 6EN.
Admission
Free.
Mary's stay
A month in 1566.
Where it is

On Queen Street in the centre of Jedburgh, TD8 6EN.

Close byJedburgh.
  1. Mary Queen of Scots Visitor CentreMary Queen of Scots Visitor CentreMary Queen of Scots lived in troubled times and her story is a sad one.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Jedburgh AbbeyJedburgh AbbeyThe great abbey ruin in town.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. Jedburgh Castle Jail & MuseumJedburgh Castle Jail & MuseumThe old jail on the hill.Under a mile 2 min by road
  4. Wooden tables outside Simply Scottish eaterie and coffee house, serving beers, wines and spiritsSimply ScottishUnder a mile 2 min by road
  5. Waterloo MonumentWaterloo MonumentStanding at 150 feet tall, the Waterloo Monument in Ancrum is one of a number of memorials to the Battle of Waterloo across Europe.5 miles 11 min by road
Directions
Stone tower overlooking patchwork farmland and a winding river valleyAttractionsFatlips Castle7.2 miles
A modern stone and turf-roofed house catches the evening light, its glazed walls reflecting the sky above outdoor seating inside.JedburghThe House in the HillSleeps 4 · 7.3 miles
Empty bar stools face shelves of spirits behind a panelled counterRestaurantsBuccleuch Arms8.6 miles
Café interior with wooden tables, chalkboard menu and a "Deli & Home" signShoppingThe Mainstreet Trading Company8.9 miles
Red dining room with gilt-framed portraits, wall lights and set tablesAttractionsSCHLOSS Roxburghe9.1 miles
Clothing shop interior with wooden rails, folded jumpers on shelves and a world mapShoppingHawico Visitor Centre & Factory Shop11 miles
Sandstone chapel with arched cloister and pointed doorway beside a lawnAttractionsKelso Abbey11 miles
Green-fronted Dor shop at number 38, selling lifestyle goods and coffeeShoppingDōr11 miles
Copper stills lined up beneath a glass roof in a distilleryToursBorders Distillery12 miles
The Daily for 17 October, from Scotland with love. A wide waterfall churns over rock ledges, autumn trees lining the gorge.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the house, and when each is next free.

A modern stone and turf-roofed house catches the evening light, its glazed walls reflecting the sky above outdoor seating inside.The House in the Hill
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Jedburgh
  • 5 miles from Mary Queen of Scots' House
Free 29–31 OctA grey stone farmhouse with several chimneys stands against rolling hills, a wildflower meadow in the foreground.The Scullery
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Yarrow
  • 19 miles from Mary Queen of Scots' House
Free 13–15 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in the Scottish BordersAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

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For further reading, before you go.