Talk:Berwickshire Towns and Villages A

Abbey St Bathans

Perhaps suprisingly there is no abbey associated with Abbey St Bathans, a small cistercian priory of twelve nuns was founded in around 1200AD, destroyed by English troops in 1543 (as were many religious buildings throughout the borders). The priory featured a small church and some of the stonework within the current church came from the earlier building. Within an alcove inside the church the effigy of a prioress hints at the earler times of the site.

Ayton

Ayton is the first settlement of note to be reached when travelling North from England along the Great North Road, many Scottish families moved to England seeking work, those who did not find employment were refused parish assistance and were carted (literally) back over the border and dumped in Ayton. The old road through the village used to bear the brunt of the east coast traffic until 1980 when the A1 bypass was created, the old road runs alongside the Ayton Parish Church, the church itself is hidden amongst trees during the summer and not immediately obvious to passing traffic. The building is Gothic style and dates to the mid 1860's, the spire stands an impressive 120 feet high. Within the graveyard the ruins of the old Parish Church, now roofless and clad with ivy can be found. It was here that the James IV of Scotland and Henry VII of England signed a seven year truce in 1497.

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