Jedburgh Castle Jail & Museum — Attraction in Scotland

A fantastic place, beautifully located towering over Jedburgh. The visit is free but donation highly recommended. Very clean and well-preserved stonework and grounds. A very very informative museum, esp. the part with scientistis native to Jedburgh and the exhibition dedicated to the locals living in Jedburgh back in the 1960's. Every cell can be accessed, with some hosting exhibits and having a lot of gripping content in regards to, e.g., type of crime, length of punishment, daily activities of prisoners, children prisoners or a rather more favourable treatment of debtors. Some riddles can be answered on the way and there is a desk for children provided for drawing (pieces of paper, crayons, stamps, etc.). I found the invention of kaleidoscope by Sir Brewster absorbing, it was worth a while trying to understand the technicalities behind this device and using the photographies provided as an example. I have visited this site twice now and am highly...

Jedburgh Castle Jail is a fascinating place to explore — part museum, part time capsule, and full of stories from Scotland’s darker past. The building looks like a castle from the outside, but inside you’ll find the preserved Victorian prison, with original cells, displays, and eerie sound effects that bring its history to life.

It’s surprisingly family-friendly, with clear information panels and just the right mix of spooky and educational. From the top floor, you also get fantastic views over Jedburgh and the surrounding Borders countryside.

My son particularly enjoyed the hands-on areas of the jail and museum: dressing as a prisoner, getting cuffed in the jail cells and running around the exercise yard.

Well worth a visit if you love history, atmosphere, and a touch of the macabre.

And guess what - entry is free! (Donations are...

Jedburgh Jail looks like a grand castle, but inside it’s a different story! Built on the site of the old Jedburgh Castle in the 1820s, it gives visitors a taste of what prison life was like in the nineteenth century. Visit the cell blocks, find out about prisoners who were held there and discover why some thought it was ‘the most comfortable jail in Scotland.’

The jailer’s house is home to Jedburgh’s town museum, charting the history of the Royal Burgh from ancient times. The displays focus on the town’s rich history, including traditions and industries. The stories of some of Jedburgh’s famous people are told – the mathematician Mary Somerville, David Brewster who invented the kaleidoscope and James Veitch the astronomer.

Enjoyed my visit, always enjoy learning about the history of the...