Each year pupils from Jedburgh's two primary schools – Parkside and Howdenburn – compete for the Lothian Shield.

And victory this year went to Parkside's Katie, who was presented with the shield by David Kerr of the Ferniehirst Trustees.

He told Katie and the runners-up: "It was a difficult task for the judges to choose prize-winners as all the essays were outstanding."

Pupils were asked to write A Young Persons Guide to Ferniehirst in the form of a leaflet – advertising the castle during July when it is opened to the public to coincide with the Jethart Callant's Festival.

The result was: 1, Katie Anderson, Parkside; 2, Bethany Pringle, Howdenburn; 3, Samantha Gibson, Howdenburn; commended, Scot Samson, Parkside; special prize for artwork, Katie Lynch, Parkside.

Ferniehirst – known as the Frontier Fortress, stands high above the Jed Water. The site has been in the hands of the Kerr family since 1457 and the first castle was built in 1470 but was regularly wrecked during border feuding. Some of the present building dates from the 16th century.

Each year the Jethart Callant rides to Ferniehirst where he is welcomed by a member of the Kerr family.