The Graham family have owned the estate for 400 years, and although it has been significantly reduced by sales just before and after the 1st World War, the core of the Estate still remains with its lovely parkland, woodlands and river.

The Grahams decend from Richard Graham 1583-1653, he was an expert horse-trader, and became Master of the Horse to the Duke of Buckingham, who himself was Master of the Horse to King James 1st. He went to spain with the Prince of Wales later King Charles1st to arrange his wedding to the King of Spain's daughter. He aquired the whole Netherby Estate which consisted of the parishes of Bewcastle, Nicholforest, Kirlandrews and Arthuret, from George Clifford, Earl of Cumberland. He lived in Netherby and Norton Conyers in Yorkshire, which he eventually bought from his father-in-law, George Musgrave.

Doctor Robert Graham, born at Windsor Castle 1711 died 1782. He was Rector of Arthuret and Kirkandrews. He improved the estate enormously, being a leading agriculturalist of the day, he built Longtown, and also a harbour at Sarkfoot near Gretna, from which he could send corn, fish etc by sea to Liverpool. His grandson, James Graham 1792-1861, was first Lord of Admiralty and Home Secretary under Sir Robert Peel, and also did a great deal at Netherby with the help of his efficient agent, Yule.