Scheduled Maintenance
Please be advised that this website will undergo scheduled maintenance on the following dates: •
Tuesday 3rd December 11:00-15:00
During these times, some services may be temporarily unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Event ID 562003
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Accessing Scotland's Past Project
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/562003
Roxburgh Parish Church, which lies at the heart of the village of Roxburgh, was built in 1752. The building is L-shaped on plan, and has a small bell-cote which houses a bell dated 1705. In 1828 the church underwent repairs, and a number of additions were made in 1865. Of particular note are the painted heraldic panels inside the church, and a pair of circular sundials on the exterior.
Memorials include the burial vault of the Scott-Kers of Chatto, relations of the Dukes of Roxburghe, and a headstone commemorating Andrew Gemmels, a soldier and latterly a 'gaberlunzie' or wandering beggar, who died in 1793 at the remarkable age of 106. Gemmels was a well-known figure throughout the Borders and appears to have been well acquainted with Sir Walter Scott who immortalised him as Edie Ochiltree in 'The Antiquary'. On the back of the headstone is a portrait of Andrew, clad in his ragged gown, with his stick, meal-bag and dog.
Text prepared by RCAHMS as part of the Accessing Scotland's Past project
