The hall was built in about 1807 by Robert Waugh who had made his money, before slavery was abolished, farming limes and pimento on a plantation in Jamaica.
[1] Waugh was to claim over £3,000 for his losses when slavery was abolished in the British empire.
[3] He left his Scottish properties to his nieces when he died at the hall on 27 December 1832.
[3] The trust allows free access to visitors to the gardens while the hall is a holiday let.
Priorwood Garden is also in Melrose, whereas Robert Smail's Printing Works is in Innerleithen and the other is the St Abb's Head National Nature Reserve.