The Nightjar is situated in one of the older parts of Jedburgh. Records for the site stretch back to 1703 and the current building is based on much older buildings linked to the 12th century abbey. It is rumoured that passages still exist that link the house to the abbey. There has been a great variety of owners including an admiral, a writer, the Earl of Minto and a butcher. There has been a restaurant in the building for over twenty five years, under different guises.

The Nightjar is a nocturnal bird and quite a rarity, certainly in these parts. It is secretive during the day, usually doing its best to disguise itself as a branch to avoid detection. It comes into its own at twilight. Its ungainly posture when at rest is transformed into elegant aerobatics as it hawks for insects on the wing.