OUR GOAL
To save this important Kirk building. To celebrate its 900-year birthday in 2027 and to support its use for local people and other visitors for another lifetime thereafter.
About LINTON KIRK HERITAGE APPEAL
The Parish of Linton
First mention of the barony of Linton appears in the 12th century, when one William de Somerville received from William the Lion the ‘lands of Lintun’, reputedly as a reward for ridding the territory of ‘ae greate Worme’, an exploit commemorated by the carved tympanum above the church door.
Six miles long and two miles broad, the rural parish of Linton sits one mile north of the village of Morebattle, four miles from Yetholm, just under five miles from Hownam, and some seven miles from the market town of Kelso, ‘the most beautiful if not the most romantic village in Scotland’ according to Sir Walter Scott.LKHA is a Registered Charity (SC007952), set up in September 1984 to act as custodian for the historic Linton Kirk building. Funds were raised at that time and spent on structural underpinning work required then, and thankfully this has proved successful and enduring .
Linton Kirk
The carved alabaster tablet set into the chancel wall of Linton Church enshrines the names of the ministerial succession at Linton from 1127 to the present day. The first recorded minister, Blahan Presbyter de Lintun, was present at a gathering of Scots and English clergy in 1127 for the consecration of Robert, Bishop of St Andrews.
Although it has been reconstructed many times in the course of the centuries, some of the original Norman stonework remains. As we see it today, the church dates from its last reconstruction of 1911-12 (one of a long series of alterations and reconstructions dating back to 1426), when the minister, James Leishman, with the financial support of R.E. Elliot of Clifton Park, repaired the decaying fabric, rebuilt the chancel, and internally restored the pre-reformation appearance by making the chancel at the east end again the focus of devotional service.
First mention of the barony of Linton appears in the 12th century, when one William de Somerville received from William the Lion the ‘lands of Lintun’, reputedly as a reward for ridding the territory of ‘ae greate Worme’, an exploit commemorated by the carved tympanum above the church door.
Six miles long and two miles broad, the rural parish of Linton sits one mile north of the village of Morebattle, four miles from Yetholm, just under five miles from Hownam, and some seven miles from the market town of Kelso, ‘the most beautiful if not the most romantic village in Scotland’ according to Sir Walter Scott.LKHA is a Registered Charity (SC007952), set up in September 1984 to act as custodian for the historic Linton Kirk building. Funds were raised at that time and spent on structural underpinning work required then, and thankfully this has proved successful and enduring .
Linton Kirk
The carved alabaster tablet set into the chancel wall of Linton Church enshrines the names of the ministerial succession at Linton from 1127 to the present day. The first recorded minister, Blahan Presbyter de Lintun, was present at a gathering of Scots and English clergy in 1127 for the consecration of Robert, Bishop of St Andrews.
Although it has been reconstructed many times in the course of the centuries, some of the original Norman stonework remains. As we see it today, the church dates from its last reconstruction of 1911-12 (one of a long series of alterations and reconstructions dating back to 1426), when the minister, James Leishman, with the financial support of R.E. Elliot of Clifton Park, repaired the decaying fabric, rebuilt the chancel, and internally restored the pre-reformation appearance by making the chancel at the east end again the focus of devotional service.
Linton Kirk Heritage Appeal
In 2025 Church of Scotland required all presbyteries (Scottish church councils) to write new plans within which the stock of church owned buildings had to be rationalised to reflect a declining number of ministers and available funds to sustain these buildings. Churches across Scotland were graded according to their amenities and old churches like Linton were proposed for selling on the open market.
Given our historic remit to care for Linton Kirk, LKHA determined to refresh the organisation's structure and to try to buy the church building, to preserve it as a place of worship and as an important site of cultural heritage and amenity for both local people and for the many visitors who come to Linton Kirk each year. A public meeting was held which was well supported by the local community. Some new supporters joined LKHA to expand the number of trustees and a database of supporter contacts was established. Opinions and ideas were sought on the best use of Linton Kirk, recognising that we need to become self-sufficient for running costs while preserving funds for maintenance for this historic listed building.
Prospective uses agreed to date include the Kirk's continuing use as a place of occasional worship. Linton Kirk has been part of the local Cheviot Churches group with Church of Scotland churches at Morebattle and Kirk Yetholm and now linked to Kelso Old. Cheviot Churches intend to continue holding occasional services at Linton. There are some traditional services which are very well supported locally, including watchnight service on Christmas Eve and a new year service, as well as a meeting place for a prayer group and for occasional evening communion services.
Linton Kirk has strong, local family connections having been used for weddings, baptisms and funerals for hundreds of years. This use remains popular and would be supported and encouraged.
The Kirk has played host to occasional concerts in the past and we envisage other similar events to support occasional fund raising.
The Kirk has long been open to visitors from both near and far who find their way to this historic and iconic building, to say a quiet prayer, to contemplate the history of this special place and to find peace, tranquillity and self-understanding. LKHA will continue to support this welcoming tradition and to engage with research and interpretation to support visitor understanding of the cultural heritage value of this unique building and place.
In 2025 Church of Scotland required all presbyteries (Scottish church councils) to write new plans within which the stock of church owned buildings had to be rationalised to reflect a declining number of ministers and available funds to sustain these buildings. Churches across Scotland were graded according to their amenities and old churches like Linton were proposed for selling on the open market.
Given our historic remit to care for Linton Kirk, LKHA determined to refresh the organisation's structure and to try to buy the church building, to preserve it as a place of worship and as an important site of cultural heritage and amenity for both local people and for the many visitors who come to Linton Kirk each year. A public meeting was held which was well supported by the local community. Some new supporters joined LKHA to expand the number of trustees and a database of supporter contacts was established. Opinions and ideas were sought on the best use of Linton Kirk, recognising that we need to become self-sufficient for running costs while preserving funds for maintenance for this historic listed building.
Prospective uses agreed to date include the Kirk's continuing use as a place of occasional worship. Linton Kirk has been part of the local Cheviot Churches group with Church of Scotland churches at Morebattle and Kirk Yetholm and now linked to Kelso Old. Cheviot Churches intend to continue holding occasional services at Linton. There are some traditional services which are very well supported locally, including watchnight service on Christmas Eve and a new year service, as well as a meeting place for a prayer group and for occasional evening communion services.
Linton Kirk has strong, local family connections having been used for weddings, baptisms and funerals for hundreds of years. This use remains popular and would be supported and encouraged.
The Kirk has played host to occasional concerts in the past and we envisage other similar events to support occasional fund raising.
The Kirk has long been open to visitors from both near and far who find their way to this historic and iconic building, to say a quiet prayer, to contemplate the history of this special place and to find peace, tranquillity and self-understanding. LKHA will continue to support this welcoming tradition and to engage with research and interpretation to support visitor understanding of the cultural heritage value of this unique building and place.