The ancient Kirk at Stobo
Most people today hearing the word Stobo will think of the excellent destination spa based in the small Peeblesshire village. To those of us who enjoy poking around in the past however it is the Parish Kirk which springs to mind.
When first approaching the Kirk is, save for the slightly offset tower, fairly unremarkable. Relatively recent harling gives it quite an austere look but once you get closer wonders start to reveal themselves…
Stobo Kirk, April 2023
The doorway to the Kirk has several points of interest, chiefly the stonework around it which is Norman in style and therefore incredibly old. A metal collar (known as Jougs in Scots) hangs at the door. Hard to imagine in today’s Christian culture but in centuries gone by local ne’er do wells (perhaps caught poaching from the nearby Tweed!) would be manacled to these and forced to repent in front of the congregation. An 18th century tombstone of a soldier (John Noble) complete with full length carving of him and his rifle sits just outside the Kirk. Inside there are more treasures, including the North Aisle, restored in 1929. The stone glass windows are of particular interest, especially that depicting St. Kentigern (also known as St. Mungo, patron of Glasgow) supposedly converting Merlin to Christianity at nearby Alterstone. The whole area is steeped in lore surrounding both these figures, indeed Kentigern was supposed to have founded the first Church here in the late 500’s. As with everything emerging from post Romano/Celtic Britain it is hard to separate fact from myth but there is plenty at Stobo Kirk to make you reflect on the long human history of this part of the world.
The North Aisle
The Merlin and St. Kentigern window
I hope I have persuaded you to explore this wonderful building more, this blog just scratched the surface. If you do visit please treat the Kirk, and it’s neighbours at this quiet and peaceful place, with respect (particularly around parking, which is very scarce). It is open to the public but remains a working Kirk so please be mindful of this when visiting.
Stobo Kirk is a wonder of Southern Scotland and deserves to be cherished and maintained for future generations.
