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Selkirk, Kirk Wynd, Old Parish Church And Burial-ground
Burial Ground (Medieval) - (Post Medieval), Chapel (Medieval)(Possible), Church (18th Century)
Site Name Selkirk, Kirk Wynd, Old Parish Church And Burial-ground
Classification Burial Ground (Medieval) - (Post Medieval), Chapel (Medieval)(Possible), Church (18th Century)
Alternative Name(s) Selkirk, Auld Kirkyard
Canmore ID 54210
Site Number NT42NE 15
NGR NT 47014 28389
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/54210
- Council Scottish Borders, The
- Parish Selkirk
- Former Region Borders
- Former District Ettrick And Lauderdale
- Former County Selkirkshire
NT42NE 15 47014 28389
(NT 4701 2839) Selkirk parish church was in a state of ruin at the beginning of the 16th century. Its successor was followed by a third church in 1747, the ruins of which still exist.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1897.
Old Parish Church, Selkirk, and Tombstones. The former church of the parish, which dates from 1748 but is now a mere shell, has been used for interments. Two 7th c. tombstones have been built into the inner side of the W. wall.
RCAHMS 1957.
The ivy-covered walls of this ruin stand to a height of c.3.0m. The east gable contains a belfry complete with bell
Visited by OD (WDJ), 20 January 1961.
EXTERNAL REFERENCE:
Scottish Records Office
GD 157/808
Building of Selkirk Church.
Payments to Andrew Lan.
Cash Book.
1747-1749
GD 157/777
Building of Harden's seat in Selkirk Church.
Payment of £2.15.8 to John Tait, wright.
Cash Book.
1751
GD 157/587
Question of the repair of the Church or of building a new one. Papers concerning legal action.
Legal judgement declared that a new one should be built.
David Rhind, Architect (1808-1883) had provided a report for the Heritors but objections had been raised.
David Bryce, Architect (1803-1876) had then been asked to submit a report and estimatesto the Court. He had recommended a new building on another site at a cost of £3,500.
1859-1860
Kirkyard with 17th and 18th century tombstones to the Auld Kirk. AULD KIRKYARD: number of large stones and enclosures with cast-iron railings. Amongst those commemorated are Andrew Lang (1844-1912), James Brown (1832-1904).
The parish church underwent repairs, including in 1829 when it was re-roofed, painted and stoves were introduced "to the comfort of the congregation in winter", according to the Statistical Account. There has been a church on this site since the Middle Ages, according to B Holton. It was at the old Kirk o the Forest that William Wallis reputedly proclaimed Guardian of Scotland in 1298. This kirk was demolished in the 16th century and a new structure was erected (described as "a very pretty church, the form of it a cross house, the steeple having at each corner 4 pyramidal turrets", by Christopher Lowther). By 1747 the congregation had outgrown this and hence the kirk which is now ruinous was built. This became redundant in 1861 when St Mary's West, Ettrick Terrace was built as the new parish church. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)
Publication Account (1980)
One of the earliest references to Selkirk church, occurs in 1150 when David I granted that church to Kelso Abbey (ESC, 1905, 185). The church was apparently ruinous at the beginning of the sixteenth century and rebuilt at the time of the Reformation (Sharpe, n.d.,31). That church was described by Christopher Lowtherer in 1629 as a very pretty structure, 'the form of it, a crosshouse, the steeple at each corner and pyramidal turrets' (RCAM. 1957, 47). Selkirk's minister at the turn of the eighteenth century complained to the Presbytery that church and manse were in a desolate condition so that 'he was neither able to preach in one nor live in the other' (Sharpe, n.d.,16). It was not until 1747 that the church was rebuilt. In its turn, its roof was removed in 1861; today it stands an empty shell.
Information from ‘Historic Selkirk: The Archaeological Implications of Development’ (1980).
Project (22 February 2016 - 31 March 2016)
Geomagnetic, earth electrical resistance and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been undertaken by Archaeological Services, Durham University in February, 2016 at the old parish church and burial ground in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders. The principal aim was to try to identify any remains associated with possible early structures on the site, or any earlier boundary to the burial ground.
The surveys have detected very little probable rubble in and around the existing ruined church, perhaps surprising given the history of construction and demolition on the site, however a number of probable rubble spreads have been detected towards the edges of the churchyard. Some of the probable rubble along the northeast side of the churchyard could be associated with the removal of a row of buildings there in the early 20th century. GPR survey over one rubble spread in the eastern corner of the site did indicate some near-surface disturbance, and also some possible unmarked graves in that area.
Possible wall footings have been detected within the standing former church. Resistance and GPR anomalies in the central part of the standing ruin appear to indicate the presence of a structure measuring approximately 11m by 6m, possibly an early small church, aligned east-west, as opposed to the orientation of later churches on the site.
No other probable stone walls have been identified within the study area. Several other narrow, linear high resistance anomalies have been detected, however, some of these may reflect stone drains while others appear too irregular to have been wall footings.
Paths have been identified in Area 2, as shown on current Ordnance Survey map data but no longer evident on the ground. Geomagnetic and resistance anomalies in the north of Area 1 could reflect traces of former paths, one possibly linking the two churchyard gates.
Information from OASIS ID: archaeol3-247124 (D Hale) 2016
Earth Resistance Survey (22 February 2016 - 31 March 2016)
Geomagnetic, earth electrical resistance and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been undertaken by Archaeological Services, Durham University in February, 2016 at the old parish church and burial ground in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
Information from OASIS ID: archaeol3-247124 (D Hale) 2016
Ground Penetrating Radar (22 February 2016 - 31 March 2016)
Geomagnetic, earth electrical resistance and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been undertaken by Archaeological Services, Durham University in February, 2016 at the old parish church and burial ground in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
Information from OASIS ID: archaeol3-247124 (D Hale) 2016
Magnetometry (22 February 2016 - 31 March 2016)
Geomagnetic, earth electrical resistance and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys have been undertaken by Archaeological Services, Durham University in February, 2016 at the old parish church and burial ground in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
Information from OASIS ID: archaeol3-247124 (D Hale) 2016
Sbc Note
Visibility: Upstanding building, which may not be intact.
Information from Scottish Borders Council
