Coldstream facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Coldstream
|
|
|---|---|
 Coldstream Bridge over the River Tweed |
|
 Coldstream
|
|
| Population | 1,990 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NT841398 |
| • Edinburgh | 42 miles (68 km) NW |
| • London | 299 miles (481 km) SSE |
| Civil parish |
|
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | COLDSTREAM |
| Postcode district | TD12 |
| Dialling code | 01890 |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
|
| Scottish Parliament | |
| Website | Coldstream Community Trust |
Coldstream (Scottish Gaelic: An Sruthan Fuar) is a town in Scotland. It is located in the Scottish Borders area. Coldstream is famous as the place where the Coldstream Guards began. This is a special army group in the British Army.
Contents
About Coldstream
Coldstream is on the north side of the River Tweed. This river forms part of the border between Scotland and England. On the English side, you'll find Northumberland. The town had about 1,800 people living there in 2001.
Coldstream's History
.jpg)
Coldstream has a long and interesting history. In 1296, Edward I of England invaded Scotland from here. Later, in 1316, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, a Scottish knight named Sir James Douglas won an important battle nearby. He defeated a larger group of soldiers from Gascony.
The Coldstream Guards
In 1650, a general named George Monck started the Coldstream Guards regiment. This group is part of the British Army today. Monck led them to London. They helped bring King Charles II back to the throne. This event is known as the Stuart Restoration.
Runaway Marriages and Famous People
In the 1700s and 1800s, Coldstream was a popular spot for "runaway marriages." This was similar to Gretna Green. Young couples would come here to get married quickly. They did this because it was easier to marry in Scotland than in England.
A monument stands at the east end of town. It honors Charles Albany Marjoribanks. He was a Member of Parliament for Berwickshire. Also, Alec Douglas-Home is buried near Coldstream. He was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in the 1960s.
Important buildings in Coldstream include the marriage house. This is where many weddings took place. The Hirsel is another notable place. It is the family home of the Earls of Home. The Coldstream Town Hall is also important. It now serves as a library and an office for official records.
Civic Week Celebrations
Every year in early August, Coldstream holds a "Civic Week." This event celebrates the town's history. It includes a Torchlight procession. There are also horse-rides to the Battle of Flodden battlefield.
Coldstream Priory
A monastery called the Priory of St Mary was founded here before 1166. It was not a rich place. However, it played a role in the history of the border lands. English forces attacked it many times.
The priory was used by both the English and Scots. They gathered information about each other there. The prioress, who was the head nun, had to be very careful. She worked hard to keep the monastery safe. It became a favorite place for Margaret Tudor. She was the wife of King James IV.
After the Battle of Flodden, the prioress did something special. She had all the Scottish soldiers who died brought to the monastery. They were buried there. This event is still remembered today. There is an annual procession and service. People cut a piece of grass from the battlefield. They carry it back to Coldstream. They then symbolically "bury" it on the Tweed Green. This is because the old priory building is now completely gone. The monastery officially closed in 1621.
Bughtrig House and a New Museum
In 2020, plans were announced for a new museum. It will be at Bughtrig House in Coldstream. This house was the family home of Vice-Admiral Bertram Home Ramsay. He was a hero in World War II. He planned Operation Dynamo. This was the evacuation of soldiers from Dunkirk. The museum will be in a converted garden building. It will honor his important work.
The Ba Green
The border between Scotland and England usually runs down the middle of the River Tweed. But near Coldstream, there's a small piece of land called the Ba Green. It's about 2 to 3 acres in size. This land is actually part of Scotland, even though it's south of the river.
Local stories say that men from Coldstream and men from Wark (an English village) used to play a game called "ba." The winning team would claim the Ba Green for their country. Coldstream had more people than Wark. So, the Coldstream team always won. This is how the land became a permanent part of Scotland.
Local Media
You can get local news and TV shows from BBC Scotland and ITV Border. Radio stations include BBC Radio Scotland and Greatest Hits Radio Scottish Borders and North Northumberland. The local newspapers are The Border Telegraph and Southern Reporter.
