The mound is all that remains of Roxburgh Castle, but it is a place with a long history. Becoming a royal burgh in 1124, the Scottish town grew up around its stronghold and prospered. It had an abbey and even a mint, but proximity to the Border meant that it fell into English hands in the early 14C and was not recovered until 1460. It was dismantled shortly thereafter by the widow of James II, the Scottish king who lost his life retaking the castle.