Mertoun Old Church
Burial Vault (Post Medieval), Church (Medieval)
Site Name Mertoun Old Church
Classification Burial Vault (Post Medieval), Church (Medieval)
Alternative Name(s) Mertoun House Policies; Scotts Of Harden Burial Vault
Canmore ID 57274
Site Number NT63SW 6
NGR NT 62451 31789
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/57274
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Mertoun
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Ettrick And Lauderdale
- Former County Berwickshire
NT63SW 6.00 62451 31789
NT63SW 6.01 62436 31797 Churchyard
(NT 6244 3178) The fragmentary remains of Mertoun Old Church stand in an enclosed burial-ground about 750yds east of Mertoun House. They consist of the east wall, partly reconstructed, and portions of the north and south walls, all reduced to within 8 feet of the ground. The internal width has been 14ft. The church of Mertoun was dedicated by Bishop Bernham in 1241.
RCAHMS 1915, visited 1914; J Ferguson 1892.
Robson alleges that the church existed about the middle of the 12th C.
J Robson 1896.
The remains of the old church are incorporated in a modern vault, of the Scotts of Harden. The vault itself is now in a poor state of repair.
Visited by OS (WDJ) 19 September 1962.
Field Visit (15 December 1914)
260. Mertoun Old Church.
The fragmentary remains of the ancient church stand in an enclosed burial-ground on the north bank of the Tweed, about 750 yards east of Mertoun House. They consist of the east wall, partly reconstructed, and portions of the north and south walls, all reduced to within 8 feet of the ground. The internal width has been 14 feet. The church of Mertoun was dedicated by Bishop Bernham in 1241.
Grave-slabs.
(1) Near the end of the east wall is a slab measuring 3 feet 4 inches in length, 21 inches in breadth at the upper end, diminishing to 16 inches at the lower. Carved in relief on its upper 'surface is a fine floriated cross set on a stepped base.
(2) Leaning against the south wall of the ruin is a slab 5 feet long,1 foot 8 inches broad at the head and 1 foot 6 inches at the base, with the letters T P incised at the upper end. Towards the east side of the slab is an incised sword, 3 feet 10 inches in length. The shaft broadens towards the base, and terminates with a rounded end. The edges of the slab are chamfered and the corners rounded.
(3) Also leaning against the south wall is a coped slab with roll moulding on edges and faint trace of a sword on upper surface: over 5 feet long.
See Ber. Nat. Club, 1890-91, p. 145 (illus.).
RCAHMS 1915, visited 15th December 1914.
OS Map: Ber., xxx. SW. and SE.
Sbc Note
Visibility: Upstanding building, which may not be intact.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
