Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.

House & Family History: There have been Haigs at Bemersyde since the 12th century in the person of Petrus de Haga. The house was built with stones from the ruins of Dryburgh Abbey, which had been recently sacked by the English. Most likely, Bemersyde was built to comply with a law of James V in 1535 that compelled all Border landlords to build fortresses to protect their neighbors. Anthony Haig (Bemersyde is the seat of Clan Haig) added another story to the house in 1690 and turned the Mezzanine into a dining room. In 1761 the west wing was added; the east wing in 1795. In the 19th century the 18th century wings were rebuilt in the Victorian Scottish Baronial style. At the end of the First World War the estate was purchased by public subscription from Colonel Haig, the 28th Laird, and formally presented to Field Marshal the Earl Haig of Bemersyde, who took up residence at Bemersyde in 1921. The family motto of the Earls Haig is "Tyde what may," which refers to the famous 13th century poem by Thomas the Rhymer which predicted that there would always be a Haig in Bemersyde: "Tyde what may betyde, Haig shall be Haig of Bemersyde."

House Listed: Category A

Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

Current Seat / Home of: Alexander Douglas Derrick Haig, 3rd Earl Haig; Haig family here since the 12th century.

Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: Petrus de Haga, 12th century. SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Anthony Haig, 17th century; Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, 1905-28; George Alexander Eugene Douglas Haig, 2nd Earl Haig, 1928-2009.

Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

Primary Current Ownership Use: Luxury Accommodation / Exclusive Use

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Phone: 01968-678-465

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://bemersydeestate.com/

Historic Houses Member: Yes