Standing above the River Tweed, which borders Scotland and England, Ladykirk was built about 1500.Of late Gothic style it is entirely built of stone, even the roof, which is covered in large slabs. This was probably a precaution against burning in one of the cross-border raids that persisted for many years after its construction. The top of the tower was added in 1743, possibly to a design by William Adam, father of the well-known Georgian architects, the Adam brothers. The ends of the choir and the transepts which project from the sides of the building are half-octagons, a feature of late Gothic churches in Scotland, of which this is one of the best survivors.
In 1496, King James IV of Scots was returning from a successful campaign in Northumberland when he was thrown from his horse during his fording of the River Tweed. After being pulled to the shore, he vowed to build a church as thanksgiving to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin. He ordered the church to be built entirely of stone, including the roof and the interior seating, no doubt having the marauding English, who had a habit of burning Scottish kirks, in mind. The last time the king saw Our Lady’s Kirk was on his way to defeat and death on the fields of Flodden in 1513. The church has been added to over the centuries but still retains much of the original fabric making it the most complete pre-Reformation kirk in Scotland. The tower was heightened in 1743 and the clock added in 1882,a gift from Lady Marjoribanks. The stone used on the building came from Swinton Quarry.
The Sections are split section A is East of the Church Section B is South of the Church Section C is West of the Church And D is North of the Church
There are many stones in the Churchyard that are unreadable so we have not inserted them into the site. Some are in but very few.
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In memory of MARTHA ANNE SCOTT CRUIKSHANK wife of the rev WILLIAM DOBIE minister of Ladykirk died 5th February 1861 aged 33 years.The Revererend JOHN DOBIEM.A.B.D. their second son Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages in the University of Edinburgh born in Musselburgh 20th January 1859 died 2nd August 1894. Also of the above WILLIAM DOBIE minister of Ladykirk 1859 – 1904 born at Kirkburn Dumfriesire 22nd September 1824 died at Crieff 26th September 2904.Also in memory of Lieut. WILLIAM FINDLEY ROBERTSON DOBIE 2nd Gordon Highlanders son of Dr DOBIE Crieff who fell in action 14th Dec 1914 Buired in Irish House Cemetery Kemmell S. W. of Ypres France.WILLIAM CRUICKSHANK DOBIE eldest son of Rev Wm DOBIE died in Mildura Australia 23rd August 1925
Erected by PETER and CHRISTINA PATTERSON in memory of their son WILLIAM their son who died Sept 13th 1867 aged 6 months. Also JAMES their son who died Sept 1st 1869 aged 5 months.Also LIZZIE GRAY their daughter who died at Tweedmouth July 25th 1891 aged 18 years. Also ISABELLA WIER their daughter who died at Tweedmouth August 11th 1899 aged 34 years. Also the above PETER PATERSON who died at Tweedmouth March 1st 1900 aged 67 years. CHRISTINA PATTERSON wife of the above who died at ??? Burnfoot Nov 14th ?> aged 79 years.
