Our Churches
Kirkhope
Kirkhope
Kirkhope
That it shares the same name as Kirkhope in Upper Ettrick shows its ancient association with Melrose Abbey, yet in the Middle Ages, any church here belonged to the Parish of Yarrow. Of simple rectangular plan, the church was designed by William Burn, 1841. The interior features a good stained-glass window and the Buccleuch Aisle of its original patron. Set in a wooded garden beside the steep bank of the Ettrick Linns, there is a lychgate memorial to two World Wars.
Yarrow
Kirkhope
Kirkhope
The present church, built in 1640, replaced the historic ‘St Mary’s of the Lowes’ or ‘The Forest Kirk’, dating from the 12th century, on the hillside above St Mary’s Loch. Sir Walter Scott and James Hogg, ‘The Ettrick Shepherd’, were regular worshippers. With a traditional T-plan, it was considerably adapted and improved over the years. It was gutted by fire in 1922 but restored. The memorial windows are by Douglas Strachan and there is a sundial on corner of building.
Ettrick
Kirkhope
Ettrick
The present church, built 1824, replaced the post-Reformation Kirk of Ettrick and Rankilburn in which Thomas Boston preached in the early 17th century. Of three lofts, two have separations between the pews to stop the shepherd’s dogs from fighting. The third loft, of the Napier family, has more comfortable seating. Notable features are the pulpit with dove and original ladles for offerings. In the churchyard are the burial plot of the Napier family and the graves of James Hogg, ‘The Ettrick Shepherd’, and Tibbie Shiell.
Address: Ettrickbridge, TD7 5HW
Driving time from Selkirk to Kirkhope Church (Ettrickbridge) is approximately 16 minutes taking the B7009 from Selkirk (c 7.5 miles)
Address: Yarrow, TD7 5LA
Driving time from Selkirk to Yarrow Church is approximately 17 minutes taking the A708 from Selkirk (c 9 miles)
Address: Ettrick, TD7 5HX
Driving time to Ettrick Church is approximately 38 minutes taking the B7009 / B709 from Selkirk (c 19 miles)
Car Parking (on-street)
Hearing Loop
Toilets
Car Parking (on-street)
Hearing Loop
No Toilets (nearest are at The Waterwheel Café on A708 towards Selkirk)
Car Parking (on-street)
No Hearing Loop
No Toilets