Auld Kirk Graveyard, Kirk Wynd, Selkirk

Kirkyard with 17th and 18th century tombstones to the Auld Kirk. AULD KIRKYARD: number of large stones and enclosures with cast-iron railings. Amongst those commemorated are Andrew Lang (1844-1912), James Brown (1832-1904).

The parish church underwent repairs, including in 1829 when it was re-roofed, painted and stoves were introduced "to the comfort of the congregation in winter", according to the Statistical Account. There has been a church on this site since the Middle Ages, according to B Holton. It was at the old Kirk o the Forest that William Wallis reputedly proclaimed Guardian of Scotland in 1298. This kirk was demolished in the 16th century and a new structure was erected (described as "a very pretty church, the form of it a cross house, the steeple having at each corner 4 pyramidal turrets", by Christopher Lowther). By 1747 the congregation had outgrown this and hence the kirk which is now ruinous was built. This became redundant in 1861 when St Mary's West, Ettrick Terrace was built as the new parish church. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

June 2011: Inspection finds the graveyard has a number of issues - broken gravemakers, collapsing and toppled gravemarkers, missing sections of ironwork and vegetation growths on mausolea.

18 August 2016: Inspection finds the gravemarkers generally in fair condition. A number of the burial enclosures are significantly overgrown, some with saplings growing through them, with cracked stones, loose stones ares of missing mortar evident.

8 February 2018: The Selkirk Conservation Area Regeneration officer advises a local community group, the Kirk O The Forest Heritage Group, are interested in exploring options for enhancements to the graveyard as well as increasing understanding of the site. This is partly on the back of a joint CARS/Scottish Borders Council funded ground penetrating radar survey by Durham University Archaeology Services which identified the outline of a possible medieval chapel below the Auld Kirk Ruin. The group are currently looking to fund a small archaeology dig within the ruin to try and reinforce these findings as well as seeking funding to start a phased process to re-erect some of the fallen grave stones.

4 April 2018: Local planners advise they continue to encourage work to reset gravestones that have been laid down.