HUME
Hume was formerly a parish in Berwickshire and ceased to exist as a separate parochial entity in 1640. During the twelfth century, the parish included portions of what are now the parishes of Gordon and Westruther. The church was dedicated to St. Nicholas, and the patronage belonged to the Earls of Dunbar.
During the reign of Malcolm IV (1153–1165), Earl Cospatrick granted the church of Hume to the monks of Kelso, along with two carucates of land and a meadow known as Harestrother within the same parish.*
The chapel of Wederley, which is now part of Westruther parish (addressed under that section), was under the jurisdiction of the church of Hume in earlier times.
There is no detailed record of the old church building itself; however, its foundations can still be traced in the form of irregular mounds within the old burial ground of Hume.
The only surviving relic is an ancient Celtic ecclesiastical bell, measuring 13 inches in length, which is now preserved in the museum at Kelso. This bell belongs to the early type carried and rung by hand and dates back to the early Celtic Church, predating the twelfth century. During this period, such bells were quadrangular in shape, contrasting with the circular bells introduced later during the papal influence in Scotland.
This bell has attracted the attention of many notable antiquarians in Scotland and has been recognized as a significant historical artifact.†
The Burial Ground
The site of the church and its burial ground now falls within the parochial boundaries of Stitchel parish in Roxburghshire. The burial ground remains in use for the northern part of the parish.
A large horizontal stone within the burial ground bears the following inscription:
Notes and References
Chalmers' Caledonia.
† The bell is described in the Catalogue of Antiquities, etc., exhibited in the Museum of the Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, July 1856, p. 33:
"An ancient bell of iron, dipped in brass, with which the entire surface was probably coated. Its dimensions are almost the same as the Birnie bell. The form and proportions are identical with those of the Clogrinny, or bell of St. Ninian (a representation of which is given).”
"Here lyes George Stevenson, tenant in Hume Byers, who died 1617.
Also, John Stevenson, his son, tenant in Hume Byers, who died Nov. 1668."
Another horizontal stone features elaborate ornamental carved work and a well-executed cross in relief on its upper surface. However, no other lettering or date is visible on the stone.
A small, ornamental stone is inscribed as follows:
"Here lyes James Broun, who lived in Hume and died Septr ye 9, 1734, in the 63rd year of his age."
A small, round-headed stone, apparently very old, has an ornamental cross engraved on each side but lacks any other inscription.
A large, plain horizontal stone bears the following inscription:
"Here lyes Thomas Trotter, tenant in Hume, who died August 4, 1700, aged 58 years.
Also, his spouse, Jannet Hoe, who died Dec. 15, 1721."
This passage provides insight into the style and characteristics of early Christian relics. The example cited was found at Hume Castle, near Kelso. Its exact history remains unclear, but its association with Hume Castle and the proximity of the castle to the site of Hume Church strongly suggest that the bell originally belonged to that church.
—The Tweedside Antiquarian Society, Kelso.
SOURCE: The Churches And Churchyards Of Berwickshire By James Robson 1893, updated 2025 Nathan Zipfel