About Us > Traquair Church

Traquair Church is situated just over a mile south of Traquair village on the B 709 (3 miles south of Innerleithen) at Kirkhouse.

Leave Innerleithen on the St Mary's Loch and Yarrow Road by Traquair Road.   Continue on the road past Traquair village where the War Memorial is sutuated at the cross roads.   Pass The Glen road end at Kirkhouse and the Church is on the right.

The car park is just south of the Church adjacent to the Kirkyard on the same side of the road.

Church History

In 1116 it was recorded that the See of Kentigern (Glasgow) anciently possessed a Church and land extending to 140 acres at Traquair. It was dedicated by the name of St. Bride whose holy well was on the glebe. Thus Traquair was also known as Kirkbride. In 1662 Member of the Presbytery proceed to Traquair to prepare witches for death, and to be with them in the place of execution at Traquair. A libel was presented in 1690 to the Presbytery against Mr Forbes the Minister for drunkenness, and negligence. He had not given the sacrament for four and a half years and in sixteen years he had administered the Lord's supper in only two years. He was deposed, having been minister during the Second Episcopacy and killing times. Present building was completed in 1778. This building was shorter and wider than the previous Church.

In 1870 Mr Jardine Wallace preached a sermon before the Synod on "Christendom; It's Unity in Diversity and received a complimentary letter from Thomas Carlyle. During his ministry the Church was much improved and instrumental music was introduced, the interior of the church decorated with marbles and other memorials. By 1901 the population of the parish (according to the Census) was 523 whilst by 1910 the number of communicants was 271. The minister was Rev. John Main and his stipend and glebe was valued at £322. Total Christian liberality amounted to £57. The church was re-opened in 1914 after undergoing extensive repairs and alterations. A bazaar had raised £373 which spent on modern heating apparatus, the erection of a vestry, a new pulpit, a new window, lamps suspended from the ceiling, new carpets and cleaning and painting. The Burial Aisle for the Stuarts of Traquair was also added to the Church. Later the church gallery was enclosed and named The Upper Room. It is used for the Sunday Club, fellowship and for meetings. Princess Margaret attended the while staying at the Glen in 1954.

Through a grant from Historic Scotland, local fundraising and the use of fabric funds held on behalf of the church by the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland, major refurbishment work was carried out in 1998 to 2002. This included re-roofing the church, the roofing of the Burial Aisle which had fallen into disrepair and the repair of the steps to the Upper Room.

The Communion Tokens in use in 1754 are still used in our Communion Services today. Originally these were issued to parishioners who were considered to be in a sufficient state of Grace to take Communion and who were invited to take part. The old metal tokens were replaced by the modern communion card which, in turn, has been replaced by an invitation card. However, the tradition is continued today when members arrive at the door for the Communion Service, they are handed their tokens. The tokens are uplifted by the elders just prior to the administration of the sacrament.

It has become a tradition to hang former ministers (that is their portraits or photographs) in the vestry. A continuous record has been maintained from 1802 when the Rev. James Nicol was the incumbent until 1819 up to the Rev John Wilson 1985 - 2000. A copy of an earlier portrait dating to 1738 also hangs in the vestry.

The Kirkyard contain some fine tombstones and memorials. These include the gravestone of David Bel who died in 1691 upon which are carved a pair of scissors and a flat-iron to denote his trade as a tailor. There is a memorial to Alexander Brodie, Iron Master, who was the inventor of the Register Stove and Fire Hearth for use on ships. He was a supplier to the British Navy for upwards of 30 years before his death on 6th January 1811 aged 78. More recently, there is a memorial to Sir William Y Darling (1885 - 1962) formerly Lord Provost of Edinburgh. The kirkyard and its extension is still the burial place for the residents of the parish.

The parish was enlarged by the union with Kailzie Parish. In 1984 the parish was linked with the parishes of Innerleithen and Walkerburn and the manse sold. In 2000, the three linked parishes formed a union creating the Parish of Innerleithen, Traquair and Walkerburn.

The current Church seats around 100 people and is a popular venue for weddings.