Cockburnspath Parish Church

Cockburnspath Parish Church

There may have been a church at Cockburnspath in the early medieval period; certainly one existed by the 14th or early 15th century. Much of the current church building is the result of a Victorian restoration, however, the really intriguing feature of Cockburnspath Kirk is the unusual rounded tower, situated in the centre of the west gable.

The odd, rounded tower is about 9 feet in diameter internally, and, though it is set in the 14th-century gable end, the tower itself is probably much later, perhaps late 16th or early 17th century. Another interesting feature is a rectangular tomb house, dated 1614, set against the east wall.

The church appears to be open irregularly; it was locked when we visited, with no indication of when, or if, it might be open to visitors.

The village is very pretty, however, with a medieval mercat cross, only a few steps from the churchyard.