SOME of Stow's earliest history is about to be straightened and restored.

Historians and volunteers in the village have been working for the past 18 months to gain permission to repair several memorials in the village graveyard.

And now they have also received £15,000 of funding from the Toddleburn (Parish of Stow) Wind Farm Community Fund to help with the work.

The graveyard, which contains the remains of Stow’s Auld Kirk as well as memorials dating back to the 17th century, has been in need of repair for decades.

Stow and Fountainhall Community Council worked with Scottish Borders Council and Historic Environment Scotland to gain the required permissions as the Auld Kirk is a scheduled monument.

The Auld Kirk, which was consecrated in 1242, has previously been painstakingly restored by local resident Robin McMillan.

And the restoration of the graveyard will complete his work to showcase part of the fascinating medieval history of Stow.

Alistair Riddell of Stow and Fountainhall Community Council told the Border Telegraph: “The repairs to the graveyard have long been a priority for the local community and it is great to finally get the first grant of money to allow these works to go ahead.

"There is a lot of specialist work to be undertaken and the repairs may take several years to complete.

"However, once finished the old graveyard will become a real focus for locals and visitors alike.”

Stow's history includes a visit in 1142 by King David I, a visit in 1297 by William Wallace and a visit in 1513 by Queen Margaret Tudor, wife of James IV, prior to the battle of Flodden.

The restoration, which is widely supported across the local community, will commence this summer with the repair of an iconic monument, after the required funding was donated by residents of Stow.