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Stow of Wedale facts for kids

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Stow
Stow - geograph.org.uk - 601928.jpg
Stow is located in Scottish Borders
Stow
Stow
Population 700 (2020)
OS grid reference NT456447
Council area
Lieutenancy area
  • Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale
Country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town GALASHIELS
Postcode district TD1
Dialling code 01578
Police Lothian and Borders
Fire Lothian and Borders
Ambulance Scottish
EU Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament
  • Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scottish Parliament
  • Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
List of places
UK
Scotland
55°41′31″N 2°51′43″W / 55.692°N 2.862°W / 55.692; -2.862
Stow of Wedale
Elevation
180 m (590 ft)

Stow of Wedale, or more often Stow is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland (historically Midlothian), 7 miles (11 kilometres) north of Galashiels. In the 2011 Census the population was 718. It is served by Stow railway station.

The name

The name Stow is an Old English word stōw meaning 'holy place' or 'meeting place', whilst Wedale is probably derived from the words wēoh (or wīg) meaning 'shrine' and dæl meaning 'valley'.

Pack Horse Bridge, Stow
Pack horse bridge across the Gala Water, at the south end of Stow

The Church

There has been a church at Stow since the 7th century, but the earliest example still visible today was built in the late 15th century on the site of the Church of St Mary which was consecrated on 3 November 1242. The church used today, St Mary of Wedale, was built in 1876 and features a 140 foot high clock tower. Our Lady's Well is situated a mile south of the village and was rebuilt in 2000.

A rare example of a packhorse bridge, built in the 1650s, can be found in Stow. Stow was an important place in the woollen and agricultural industries in the 19th century.

In 1870, James Thin purchased a plot of land in the village and had a house built which was completed in 1873 and was named Ashlea. This house is still a private residence but is not owned by the Thin family.

Stow New Parish Church 1
Stow New Parish Church

Famous residents

  • Sir John Rose Cormack (1815–1882), born and raised in Stow
  • John Downie Falconer FRSE (1876–1947), geologist, born in Stow
  • Sir Walter Mercer FRSE (1890–1971) orthopaedic surgeon

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stow of Wedale para niños

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