COMEDIAN and impressionist, Rory Bremner, welcomed local volunteers to an archaeological site near his house in the Borders, on Sunday 17th August, to investigate a ruined church and abandoned graveyard. The event was held to launch Scottish Archaeology Month, Archaeology Scotland’s annual celebration of Scotland’s many varied archaeological and heritage sites.

Rory, who lives near Jedburgh, said: “It is good to be part of Scottish Archaeology Month as we have so many wonderful, historical places in Scotland. I have always wanted to know more about this fascinating old graveyard, its history and the stories of some of the people buried here. We looked for evidence of just how old the original church might be. "The archaeologists suspect it may go back to the beginning of Christianity in the Borders and if so will be a very important site.” Together with Scottish Borders Council archaeology service, who provided grant assistance for the surveys, Archaeology Scotland conducted some research before going to the site and unearthed some fascinating stories about the families who lived there including an 18th century love story that led to murder! One of the sons of the big house in the parish was conducting an affair with an English lady despite already being married in Scotland. Her father was the biggest objector to the relationship and somehow the young Scottish gentleman persuaded his paramour to poison her father over a period of months. She was caught and hanged whilst our erstwhile lover escaped to the continent.

“It is thrilling, in a gruesome way, to think that a man who lived here, walked these grounds and worshipped at this church should commit such a heinous crime and get away with it.” Rory said.

Previously unrecorded stones were uncovered and together they make a record of the sorts of people who lived in the area over a period of 150 years until the church moved to another site in the 1750s. Carvings on the stones depict occupations such as blacksmiths, wheelwrights and masons. Scottish Borders Council archaeology department supported this event.