Dawyck Chapel facts for kids
Dawyck Chapel, also known as Dalwick Church, is a historic chapel located in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. You can find it inside the beautiful Dawyck Botanic Gardens. This garden is a special part of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The chapel is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) southwest of Peebles and southeast of Biggar.
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History of Dawyck Chapel
Who Owned Dawyck Estate?
The Dawyck estate was owned by the Veitch family for 200 years, from 1491 to 1691. In 1691, the Naesmyth family took over the estate. Sir James Naesmyth, 2nd Baronet, was a notable owner. Later, in 1897, Mrs. Alexander Balfour bought the estate. Her grandson, Colonel A.N. Balfour, sold most of the property. However, he generously gave the gardens to the nation in 1978.
The Chapel's Story
The name 'Dawyck' might come from old words meaning "ox" and "camp" or "dwelling." For a long time, until 1598, Dawyck Chapel was part of Stobo Parish. Soon after, it became its own independent parish. However, in 1742, the parish was closed down. Sir James Naesmyth, 2nd Baronet, made this decision to save money. The church's funding was then added to the parishes of Stobo and Drumelzier.
In 1837, the old chapel ruins were taken down. This was done by Sir John Murray Naesmyth, who was a lawyer. He wanted to build the chapel we see today. This new chapel also serves as the family's mausoleum, which is a building used as a tomb.
The chapel still has a very old font, which is a basin used for baptisms. The chapel bell is said to have been made in 1642, and then recast, or melted down and reshaped, in 1791.
Even though it's private property, Dawyck Chapel is still used for special events like weddings.
Views of the Chapel and Gardens
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The porch and belfry.
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The chapel and porch.
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Stained glass windows and belfry.
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The Scrape Burn within the gardens.
See also
- List of places in the Scottish Borders
- List of places in East Lothian
- List of places in Edinburgh
- Stobo Kirk
