Ford Castle was originally a 13th century fortified manor house, founded by Odinel de Ford. In 1338, William Heron was granted a licence to crenellate and he founded the stone quadrangular castle. On the 5th of September 1513, King James IV of Scotland burnt the castle, when he left to joined his main camp on Flodden Hill. In the late 17th century, three of the four original corner towers, were absorbed in the construction of a castellated mansion. Which was then given Gothic decoration and a new curtain wall, flanked by towers and the great gateway, in the 18th century. Nearby is Parsons Tower and 2 miles north-west is Etal Castle.