Rhymers Glen Tile Kiln, South of Darnick, Melrose, former County of Roxburghshire
Many thanks to James Crawford for giving me the heads up on this one.
Melrose Abbey was founded in 1136 by Cistercian monks at the request of King David I of Scotland.
Canmore. – The fine series of glazed floor tiles, in situ, at Melrose Abbey were undoubtedly made by the Cistercians. Milne (A Milne 1743) notes that “a little to the south of Darnick is a place called the Tile-house, where they made their tile, and a great deal of it is sometimes found there”. A field called ‘Tylehouse Park’ appears on a manuscript plan of 1819, and on other documents held at Abbotsford.
When visited by a group from Glasgow University’s Archaeology Department, no signs of claypits or tile fragments could be found, though clay, which could have been used for tile making is exposed in the banks of the stream which separates the field from Rhymer’s Glen. It was also noticed that foundations were, in fact, present at the feature called ‘Pile of Stones’ by the OS, and it is suggested that these represent the remains of the ’tile- house’.
It is hoped that an excavation will take place later in the year. E Talbot 1976
Below – 03/01/1907 – Southern Reporter – Reference to the tile works used by the monks to create bricks and tiles for Melrose Abbey.
Below – 1859 – Possible site of Melrose Abbey kiln as marked ‘pile of stones’
Below – Modern day map, detailing ‘kiln’ following the 1976 survey.
Canmore (Note – SBH – I am unable to pinpoint it on the OS Maps – I will try again!) Below – 1856 – Canmore suggests Kittleyknowe Tileworks were at the location of the red cross. 11/05/1881 – Greenock Advertiser – Bankruptcy – John Finnie Allan, farmer, Cardrona Mains and Kittleyknowe, Peebleshire. (Were the tileworks…
Canmore Below – 1856 – Castleton Tileworks, Newcastleton.
Canmore Below – 1856 – Old Brick Kilns, Nether Falla, Eddleston. Near Scarcerig.
Lamberton Colliery Brickworks, Mordington, Berwickshire, Scottish Borders. Below – 12/06/1846 – The going colliery at Lamberton for let … There is an extensive field of common clay of the best quality, on the surface and fire clay in the pit, which has been found equal to the finest ‘Stourbridge’ thereby affording every opportunity for carrying…
Found by Geoff Parkhouse at Rutherford near Kelso, former County of Roxburghshire. This brick is unmarked. The manufacturer is unknown. The find location would suggest Scottish origins but … No doubt there will have been a brick and tile works in the area during the 18th century but I just do not know where exactly….
04/10/1850 – Kelso Chronicle – Building clubs … it is proposed to build the cottages of brick which can now be obtained from the brickworks on the Cavers Estate and will also for a short time, be obtained nearer home from the works on the Estate of Stirches …
Canmore Below – 07/05/1847 – The erection of Larriston Tileworks. Below – 1858 – Larriston Tileworks, Larriston. (The works are not named on the 1896 map).
Cowdenknows Tileworks, Earlston aka Crossrigs – formerly in the County of Berwickshire. Canmore 10/01/1845 – Kelso Chronicle – Contractors wanted for making about 114 roods of a new road to the brick and tile work at Cowdenknows. Specifications will be seen in the hands of Mr White, Cowdenknows or with Mr Mitchell, surveyor, Melrose. 03/07/1846…
Oxnam Tileworks, Jedburgh, Scottish Borders aka Cringleburn Tileworks. Many thanks to Chris J Veitch, Jedburgh for his assistance in ascertaining the location of this tilework. 1841 – Census – Cringleburn Tileworks, now Oxnam Sawmill. David (25)and Margaret Sives (30). David – drain tile manufacturer. 1841 – Census – Huntill Cottages, Jedburgh. William (20) and Isabella…
Kames Tileworks, Leitholm, Scottish Borders aka Graden Hill Brick and Tile Works. 27/06/1845 – Kelso Chronicle – Marriages – At Gavinton, Berwickshire on 16th inst by the Rev Dr Brown, Free church, Mr Thomas Fisher, Kames Tileworks to Miss Mary Anne Spence eldest daughter of Mr John Spence, Gavinton. 23/11/1849 – Kelso Chronicle – Kames…
