Lyne Kirk

Lyne Kirk stands on a low mound beside the A72, 7 km west of Peebles in the Scottish Borders. Founded in the 12th century under King William the Lion, it began as a chapel dependent on Stobo Kirk and later became a parish in its own right during the 14th century. The church was described as ruinous in 1600 but was restored in 1644 by John Hay, 8th Lord Yester. Further work in 1889 was carried out by Francis Charteris, Earl of Wemyss. The building’s interior mainly dates from the 17th century, with a pre-Reformation font and a 19th-century porch. The kirkyard holds notable gravestones, including the 1712 ‘Adam and Eve’ stone, carved with the scene of Lucifer tempting Eve to eat the fruit of knowledge. Reverend Hew Scott, writing in the Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, suggested Lyne Kirk may have been the cradle of Christianity in Peeblesshire. The church’s ministers from the Reformation period include Patrick Grinton, Gilbert Hay, and John Ker, whose son Hew Ker succeeded him. Robert Brown served from 1659 until 1682. Visitors find a quiet hilltop church with a simple nave and a small porch added in the 1800s. The pre-Reformation font remains in place, and the kirkyard offers peaceful views over the surrounding countryside. The ‘Adam and Eve’ stone is a striking example of early 18th-century folk art. The church’s history is visible in its walls and furnishings, from the 17th-century renovations to later repairs. Its setting on the mound gives it a commanding presence over the valley.