SCHLOSS Roxburghe | Part of Destination by Hyatt

Aerial view of Roxburghe Hotel, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene landscape.

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The history of SCHLOSS Roxburghe.

Journey with us through time.

The history of SCHLOSS Roxburghe is a tale of resilience, transformation, and quiet grandeur. Once known as Sunlaws, this estate has witnessed the sweep of centuries—medieval towns and border conflicts, Jacobite risings and royal visitors, fires and rebirths. Each chapter has left its imprint, shaping the character of this remarkable place.

From noble families and their fateful choices to the changing fortunes of Scotland itself, the story of Sunlaws is one of constant renewal—a true phoenix rising from the ashes, time and again. Today, as SCHLOSS Roxburghe, the house welcomes guests with the same spirit of endurance and hospitality that has carried it through the ages.

Wilted white roses and leaves on a stone surface near a window.

The tale of the white rose.

Through the long and changeful centuries, there was one night when Scottish history touched our noble mansion. Legend tells that during the Jacobite rising of 1745, the Stuart claimant to the throne, Bonnie Prince Charlie, found shelter within the house of Lady Chatto — a place then known as Sunlaws, already steeped in magic. At dawn he set forth on his march into England, but not before leaving behind a living token of remembrance: a white rosebush, planted in the gardens of the estate.

It is said the rose still blooms to this day somewhere in the old grounds. Whether planted out of gratitude or love, we cannot know. What we do know is that both virtues guide us at SCHLOSS Roxburghe: honouring history, cherishing hospitality, and sharing it warmly with you.

"The tradition is that the Prince lodged at Sunlaws, three miles south, on the Jedburgh road. The house (property of Majo Scott Kerr) has been burned down three times since 1745, and the only relic of the Prince is a white rose, known as Prince Charlie's Rose, originally planted by him, which has been preserved by cuttings to the present day."
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PUBLICATIONS OF THE SCOTTISH HISTORY SOCIETY
VOLUME XXIII

Timeline.

2023

The Estate House and the Luxury Cottages are added to the estate, togehter with the Kid’s Club and the Estate Market.

2019

SCHLOSS Roxburghe opens and successfully starts operations.

2018

12.18. Investment Management acquired the historical manor house and one of Scotlands leading championship golf courses from the Duke of Roxburghe.

1997

The Roxburghe Championship Golf Course is opened, the work of renowned golf course architect Dave Thomas

Aerial view of Roxburghe Hotel Golf & Spa with lush greenery and a golf course.

1969

On the 28th November a sale was agreed and Sunlaws Estate was acquired by the Duke of Roxburghe and after using the house as an Estate Office for some time turned Sunlaws, this “phoenix from the ashes”, into a gracious country house hotel of the 21st century later called The Roxburghe Country House Hotel.

1960’s

Running the house and garden was becoming a severe problem with increasing expenditure on upkeep and the loss of dedicated staff. It was decided to sell the estate. The only possible buyer was the Duke of Roxburghe, a distant cousin of the original William Kerr of Chatto.

1950

The whole house was rewired to enable it to be connected to the ac main supply in 1951.

1946

The only garden that existed was the walled garden down the drive opposite the Home farm. A new garden was constructed around the house, Red stone from Carlisle was brought to construct the walls. The beds were planted in 1948.

1885

A disastrous fire, which although took no lives, destroyed valuable furnishings and heirlooms of the Scotts of Thirlestain. Sunlaws House was quickly repaired and rebuilt as it was.

1831

Robert Scott-Kerr died to be succeeded by William Scott-Kerr.

kelso-roxburgshire-lately-visited-by-the-prince-and-princess-of-wales-iln-1865-s-l1600-1

1809

A document described Robert Kerr's plans for a New Manor House and Offices with Garden Wall at Sun laws.

1796

Robert Scott-Kerr commissioned trustees to rebuild it. The Parks of Sunlaws and the Farms of Broompark and Whitehillfoot agreed to improve the property and subsequently rule Sunlaws.

1770

The "Public Advertiser" reported that in the evening Sunlaws was burned down by a fire.

1745

It is a firm family belief that Christian was Mistress of Sunlaws; Bonnie Prince Charlie spent the night of the 5th November 1745 at Sunlaws House, where he planted a white rose bush in the grounds.

1721

William Kerr died the following year at the age of 68 and the estate was passed to his daughter, Christian, Lady Chatto.

1720

Sunlaws was ready for occupation but the house was discovered one night to be in flames and William Kerr only just escaped with his life.

1715

At the time of the first Jacobite rising, William Kerr was living in Kelso whilst “Sunlaws was being rebuilt” and his younger son, Robert, joined the Jacobite army who had gathered in Kelso on the 23rd October 1715.

1614

From William Rutherford “Sunlaws with Myln lands thereof”.

1600

James Kerr acquired lands in Heiton and further enlarged his holdings in 1614 by purchasing

1544

The English invaded Scotland, burned Sunlaws, captured Scots and captured forty oxen.

1543

John Hume of Ersiltoun (Earlston) aquired the mill in Sunlaws.

1200

The large medieval town of Roxburghe was located between the rivers Tweed and Teviot.

Couple on a swing at Roxburghe Hotel Golf and Spa, relaxing in nature.

25% off your next visit. Cosy up at SCHLOSS Roxburghe. Escape the city and cosy up at SCHLOSS Roxburghe, with 25% off all stays when you book before 15 October 2025.