The History of Coldingham

As early as 660AD, Coldingham was the site of a religious establishment of high order, when it is recorded that Etheldrida, the Queen of Egfrid, became a nun at the Abbey of Coldingham, then under the management of Aebbe the Elder, aunt of her husband.

In 679AD, Bede described it as "the Monastery of Virgins".

The Abbey was burnt down in 679AD. It was rebuilt, but was again destroyed by fire at the hands of a raiding party of Danes in 870. This time the ruins were not rebuilt, it would appear, until 1098, when the Priory of Coldingham was founded by King Edgar in honour of St. Cuthbert. It became the caput for the Barony of Coldingham, the Prior being the feudal lord.

The Priory continued in its religious purposes until 1560 when it was partially destroyed during the Scottish Reformation. However a portion of it continued its religious activities until 1650 when it was fortified against Oliver Cromwell. After a siege of two days, the main tower in which the besieged defended themselves was so shattered by artillery, that they were forced to capitulate. This great tower of the original Priory finally collapsed about 1777. The ruins of about 40% of the original Priory church were reconstructed in 1855 and it is today used as the parish church, the most notable building in the parish.

Nearby, St. Abbs was originally called Coldingham Shore.

Prior to any buildings the fishermen who worked their boats from the beach resided at Fisher's Brae in Coldingham. These fishermen had to carry their fishing gear the one and a half miles down a path. The path is now known as the Creel Path, Creel is the local name for a Lobster pot.

The first building in St. Abbs was constructed about the middle of the 18th century followed later by a row of 5 cottages. This first row of houses were constructed in a traditional Scottish style with a central fire and a wide chimney. The walls where constructed of "Clat and Clay" a framework of wood interlaced with straw and daubed over with moist clay.

By 1832 it is recorded that the inhabitants of the Shore comprised sixteen families, who with twenty others residing in Coldingham, obtained their livelihood by fishing. In addition to these, thirty people proceeded annually to the North for the Herring fishing, which gave employment for fourteen boats from the village.

The village was renamed at the end of the 19th century by the then Laird Mr Andrew Usher, to its present title St. Abbs.

Further information on the history of Coldingham Priory can be seen here.

Taken From: History of the Priory of Coldingham by William King Hunter, Edinburgh & London, 1858