Much has been written about Coldingham Priory. Here we will touch on the priory history and also its role in the community today.
Note: The Priory is open to the public in the summer month but do check opening dates and times. More information can be found on the Coldingham Info website.
It lies on the south-east coast of Scotland, in the village of Coldingham and was founded in the reign of David I of Scotland, although his older brother and predecessor King Edgar of Scotland had granted the land of Coldingham to the Church of Durham in 1098, and a church was constructed by him and presented in 1100.
The first prior of Coldingham is on record by the year 1147, although it is likely that the foundation was much earlier. The earlier Columban Abbey was founded by St. Æbbe sometimeCIRCA 640 AD. Although the monastery was largely destroyed by Oliver Cromwell in 1648, there are still extant remains of the priory.
Saint Cuthbert arrived at Coldingham in 661 to instruct the community, and performed acts of miraculous mortification to combat lust that eventually led to his canonisation. In 671 St. Æthelthryth, to escape the lustful advances of her husband (Æbbe's nephew), Ecgfrith of Northumbria took the veil as a nun, under the tutelage of St Wilfrid. Æthelthryth was later to found Ely Cathedral.
The Priory became the caput for the Barony of Coldingham, the Prior being the feudal lord. On 2 January 1392 Sir Robert de Lawedre of The Bass was a witness to a Royal Charter to the Priory of Coldingham confirming them in all of their ancient possessions, and signed at Linlithgow.
In Cromwell's time the Homes of Renton seem to have taken the barony of Coldingham from the Stewarts in lieu of debt, as Harry Home, natural son of John Home of Renton apprised the barony and its lands on 26 November 1656 from Robert Stewart, lawful son of the now deceased Francis Stewart. Harry Home subsequently assigned his right to Alexander Home, eldest lawful son of said John Home of Renton, the Precept by Oliver Cromwell being dated at Edinburgh, 10 August 1658.
In 1857 there were about 70 'heritors' or feuholders in the barony. Today, of course, there are may more, all converted into freeholders with the abolition of feudal land tenure by the Scottish Parliament in November 2005.
The Church of Scotland Parish of Coldingham & St Abbs is linked with nearby Eyemouth Parish. The two congregations of Eyemouth and Coldingham & St Abbs share a common vision for our happily linked parishes. The linkage has been in place now since 1986.
The parish of Coldingham & St Abbs is situated in the South East of Scotland 8 miles north of the border with England. Our Parish's economic life is characterised by the industries of tourism, agriculture and fishing and other marine activities.
The coastal village of St Abbs with a population of around 120 has a small harbour and continues to enjoy a strong community spirit. The harbour has a lifeboat station and it is still used for fishing for crab and lobster though most of the small boats now take recreational divers out to explore the marine reserve. Many of the cottages are holiday homes so the emphasis is now on tourism.
Coldingham lies 1.5 miles inland from St Abbs and has a population of around 700. Coldingham's residents are largely permanent though there are some holiday homes and two caravan parks. There is a popular 'blue flag' beach at Coldingham Sands.
In 2006 when the St Abbs congregation fell to single figures the decision was taken to close the church building at St Abbs and for the congregation to unite with Coldingham. The merger with St Abbs and the linkage with Eyemouth have meant that the Parish had significant financial resources from the sale some years ago of St Abbs' church and the Coldingham Manse, and this has permitted the recent renovation of the Priory Church to provide modern facilities.
A grant made thanks to the 2012-13 Capital Grant Scheme from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, administered by the National Churches Trust. The funding was to support the Priory Church Plan to enhance access, provide new facilities and improve the flexibility of the interior space to attract more users. The plan involves providing a wheelchair lift and emergency exit, new disabled toilet, a kitchenette and meeting room and a switch from fixed pews to flexible seating.
Coldingham folk shared in the puritan tradition of Scotland. No work was done on the Sunday that could not be brought within the strict category, "the works of necessity and mercy". The man who did not shave on Saturday night, the housewife who left the vegetables to be prepared on the Sabbath morning, were looked upon as latitudinarians of questionable morality.
Almost all the inhabitants divided their allegiance between Kirk and the Meetin'. The kirk folk belonged to the Church of Scotland and worshipped in the Priory. The Meetin' folk were the Seceders, now the United Free Church. There are people still living who look back with veneration upon the old barn-like structure with its earthen floor, its hard seats, the sconces that held the candles when there was evening service, the table seats for the communion, the pulpit with its massive sounding board.