FOULDEN
This is one of those churches about whose origin, unfortunately, scarcely any information can be found. Two possible inferences may be drawn from such a circumstance. First, its origin may be so remote as to be obscured by the mists of antiquity, a possibility that would greatly enhance its significance. Second, as a religious establishment coexisting with others of the twelfth century, its ecclesiastical status may have been comparatively unimportant. Foulden likely belongs to the latter category.
The living is mentioned in the ancient Taxatio (1176). "Robert de Ramsay, the parson of Foulden," swore fealty to Edward I at Berwick on September 24, 1296, and was soon after reinstated in his former rights and privileges.
The priory of Abbey St. Bathans appears to have held certain lands in this parish. In 1423–4, Roger Golin, parson of Foulden, disputed the claims of the prioress, and the matter was submitted to the arbitration of the prior of Coldingham. Within this parish is a farm bearing the suggestive name of Nunlands, where it is supposed a nunnery existed in early times. However, no records or traditions provide any information on the subject. The only fragment pointing to the existence of such an establishment at Nunlands is the basin of an old baptismal font, discovered there about 25 years ago.
In 1587, the church of Foulden was the scene of an important historical event. A conference was held where commissioners representing Queen Elizabeth and James VI gravely debated Elizabeth's actions regarding the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The present church was built in 1786 on what are believed to be the ancient foundations. It is a plain oblong structure, with each of the side walls supported by three buttresses. The building is almost entirely overgrown with ivy, creating a picturesque appearance. Situated on an elevation close to the Duns and Berwick road, five miles from the latter, it overlooks a large and beautiful expanse of countryside on either side of the Tweed. Flodden Hill and a significant portion of the Cheviot range are prominent features in the landscape.
The interior of the church is neat and comfortable. Above the pulpit, located at the west end, is a beautiful stained-glass window in the Gothic style.
A previous reference has been made to the basin of an old baptismal font. This relic of ecclesiastical antiquity lies close to the south wall of the church. It is octagonal in shape, featuring a slightly projecting half-round molding at each angle. The basin is 27 inches in diameter, with the bowl measuring 16 inches wide by 7 inches deep, and it has a small aperture in the bottom.*
The most interesting tombstone in the churchyard, and one of the rarest antique grave tablets in Scotland, is that which commemorates the Honorable George Ramsay. Ramsay seems to have hailed from Fife—“Fyfe fostring peace me bred”—and had a distinguished record in warfare. At length, “Weried with vares and sore opprest,” he took up residence in Foulden, where he appeared to find more peace than in his native land. The George Ramsay referred to here was the last male descendant of the Ramsays of Foulden, a branch of the Dalhousie family. The tombstone is a large horizontal slab in good condition, bearing the following inscription:
Inscription on a Large Stone
"HEIR LYETH ANE HONORABIL MAN GEORG
'Fyfe fostring peace me bred,
From hence the Merce me cald,
The Merce to Marsis lavis led
To byde his battlis bald.
'Weried with vares and sore opprest,
Death gave to Mars the foyl,
And now I have more qvyet rest
Than in my native soyl.
'Fyfe, Merce, Mars, Mort, these fatal four,
Al hail my days has dreven ovr.'"
On a Very Small Stone
"Here lyeth Thomas Pentlain, who died xxii April 1691."
On Another Stone
"Here lyes the corps of James, William, and Euphans, who all died betwixt ye years 1705 and 1711."
Another Small Stone
"Here lyes the corps of James, Thomas, and Elisbeth Wilson's children to George Wilson in Edington, who departed in the year 1719."
On a Medium-Sized Stone
"Here lyeth Helen Dewar, wife to John Mitchelson elder, who died 1689.
'Here also lyes John and James, sons to John Mitchelson younger.
John died 1689,
James died 1690.'"
On a Large Horizontal Stone
Engraved within a scooped-out panel:
"ESC
1586."
Below this, on the plain surface of the stone:
"R S
E B."
On a Small, Thin Stone
"Here lyeth the corps of Agn... Bregs, wife to John Midelmest, who departed this life March the 27, 1709."
Ministers of Foulden Since 1567
David Hume — 1567 to 1569
George Johnston — 1572 (a few months)
George Ramsay — 1574 to 1575
Thomas Storie — 1576 to 1596
Tobias Ramsay — 1596
Oliver Colt, M.A. — 1614
Thomas Ramsay — 1630 to 1650
James Tweedie, M.A. — 1652 to 1659
George Home — 1659 to 1660
David Stirling, M.A. — 1660 to 1664
Patrick Sharpe — 1665 to 1681
Thomas Thomson, M.A. — 1682 to 1696
Robert Park — 1699 to 1754
John Buchanan — 1755 to 1785
David Young, M.A. — 1786 to 1812
John Edgar, M.A. — 1813 to 1821
Alexander Christison — 1821 to 1874
Archibald Bisset — 1874 to 1876
William Campbell, B.D. — 1877 to 1883
John Donald Douglas — 1883 to 1886
John Reid, M.A. — 1886 (present incumbent)
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel