The Dukes Of Roxburghe

The eldest daughter of Sir James Charles Dalbiac, MP for Ripon, was Susanna Stephania Dalbiac. She was Lady of The Bedchamber to Queen Victoria and married James Innes-Ker who became the 6th Duke Of Roxburghe. Their descendants have in turn succeeded to the title, the present incumbent being Guy Innes-Ker, 10th Duke Of Roxburghe.

The family home is Floors Castle, near Kelso. Originally built as a rather modest mansion by William Adam in 1721, the 6th Duke decided to commission the architectural talents of William Playfair, then engaged in designing many fine buildings in the new town of Edinburgh. Not only did he embellish the central core of the old house, but he extended it even further until the dimensions and grandeur of this stately home were unsurpassed in Scotland.

The 10th Duke has established several commercial enterprises on his 56,000-acre estate, including a golf course designed by Dave Thomas (architect of The Belfry) and a country house hotel, but a large part of it is still farmed.

Floors Castle claims to be the largest inhabited house in Scotland although both the house and grounds are open to the public.