Cranshaws Church

Description

The earliest existing record of a church at Cranshaws is in 1275. However, it’s likely that by then the church had been established for a few hundred years, as one of a number of Celtic chapels located on the route from Iona to Lindisfarne, on the NE coast of Northumberland. Remains of the medieval building are still visible in the old graveyard about a kilometre to the west. This was finally replaced in 1739 by a new parish church on the present site, which itself was rebuilt in 1898.

On the north wall of the church, opposite the pulpit, is a stone tablet with the Royal Arms of Scotland, dated between 1471 and 1500, placed in the previous building by King James VI, purportedly to remind the minister to pray for the King!

A Church of Scotland, Cranshaws is part of Duns and District Parishes, Lothian & Border Presbytery, and is the last ‘hill church’ of the Lammermuirs to remain open, with regular services. Please take time to look around and notice the symbols of Christian witness and faith, or simply sit awhile in the peaceful setting of this historic country kirk.

The Church is always open, and visitors are very welcome.

A Sunday Morning service is held on first Sunday of the month.

Outside on the north side of the church is a little gate that leads into a small patch of woodland. This is our ‘Wee Forest’, which serves as a venue for Forest Church[1] activities. It features native trees and shrubs, and a path that leads up to a small pond. The big Gathering table at the lower end is a good place to sit and enjoy the sights and the sounds of nature.

“Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only those who see take off their shoes”. E. Barrett Browning

The table came from the sawmill at Abbey St Bathans, a settlement about 6 miles downstream on the Whiteadder river. It too has a long history of Christian witness, and the church building there, while no longer used for regular worship, is available for special services and events[2]. Likewise, the church at Longformacus (a few miles across the hill to the south) is no longer an active place of worship, but houses a local heritage museum, and has occasional special services.

[1] Cranshaws Forest Church meets on 4th Sundays, in the afternoon, and explores the natural world as both divine gift and visual aid to God’s creative nature. This is one of several Forest Churches in Scotland, and is funded by the Church of Scotland.
[2] For enquiries about Abbey St Bathans, contact Mrs Joy Dobie on 01361 840247,
dobiesheepfarmer@gmail.com
For visits to the Heritage Centre at Longformacus, contact Mrs Gay Rodger on 01361 890309, or christinerodger908@gmail.com

Location

Cranshaws, Duns, Berwickshire, TD11 3SJ, United Kingdom

Directions

Grid reference: NT 69183 61932
(What 3 words: scornful.durations.tabloid)

By car: From Duns, Take the A6112 NNE (sign posted Grantshouse) and after 1 mile fork left onto B6365 (Sp. Cranshaws). Approx. 10 miles. Church is on right (E)

No public transport

Facilities

There is wheelchair access to the church.
There is a caravan-type toilet in the church. Please follow instructions!
A kettle and tea/coffee are in the church.

There are lovely views of peaceful hills and woodland, in the valley of the river Whiteadder.
Below the church, and beside the river, is a circular Community Walk, about 4.5km, which passes the Community Orchard where there are picnic tables and some play equipment (swings and climbing frame). There are car parks at access points about 1km before and after the village. There is wheelchair access to he Orchard from the downstream carpark.

Self-catering accommodation is available at Green Hope, Ellemford, about 4 miles from Cranshaws. https://greenhope.co.uk/
Also: Cranshaws Luxury Retreats: https://www.instagram.com/cranshaws_luxury_retreat/

Hospitaller/Contact Person

Bill Landale,
Green Hope
Ellemford
Duns
Berwickshire
TD11 3SG

Tel: 01361 890242

Email:

Web Link

https://www.dunsanddistrict.org.uk

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