Liddel Castle is a large 12th century earthwork enclosure fortress, founded by Ranulph de Soules. Standing on a bluff above the east bank of Liddel Water and protected on two sides by the Kirk Cleuch Burn, the land was granted to the Norman lord by King David I. Built to a motte and bailey plan, two parallel ditches have been dug across the headland to isolate a level triangular platform and a rectangular bailey, encased by a broad high rampart. The ditch defending the open side is wide, deep and flat-bottomed, while the dividing ditch is narrower. In 1296 and 1298, during the Wars of Independence King Edward I visited the castle but by the early 14th century the site had been abandoned. 6 miles north is Hermitage Castle.