Swinton, Scottish Borders

Swinton
Swinton
Swinton shown within the Scottish Borders
Population circa 224
OS grid reference NT835474
Council area
Lieutenancy area
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Duns
Postcode district TD11
Dialling code 01890
Police Scottish
Fire Scottish
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

Swinton is a small village in the Scottish Borders. It is in the former county of Berwickshire, around 5 miles (8.0 km) south-east of Duns, and 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the Anglo-Scottish border.

The Green at Swinton
A general view of Swinton Kirk and burial ground

History

Swinton dates to the 11th century or earlier, and is associated with the Swinton family, who took their name from the settlement. In 1769, the village was re-designed and a market was created, now marked by the market cross. A parish church was built and still stands today. In the churchyard, the Swintons have their own burial enclosure. In 1843, the Free Church of Swinton was built, but in the 1900s the spire was removed and it became the local village hall.

The main parish church was remodelled in 1910 by Robert Lorimer.[1]

Notable people

Etymology

According to oral tradition, the name of the village is derived from the number of wild boars the land was once infested with.[2]

Swinton House

Swinton House, 1 mile (1.6 km) west of the village, dates in its current form to 1800, and was the residence of many of the Swinton family.[3] It was built to replace an earlier house, which was destroyed by fire in the late 18th century. Both the house and the nearby 18th century dovecote are protected as category A listed buildings.[3][4]

References

  1. ↑ Dictionary of Scottish Architects: Robert Lorimer
  2. ↑ Lewis, Samuel (1846). A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. London: Samuel Lewis. pp. 519–526.
  3. 1 2 "Swinton House, Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
  4. ↑ "Swinton House Dovecote, Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 2009-07-13.
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