Darnick

Darnick is a village near Melrose in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, in the former Roxburghshire.

Places nearby include Abbotsford, Buckholm, Eildon, the Gala Water, Galashiels, Gattonside, Lindean and Newtown St. Boswells.

The village's name was first recorded in 1124, and its name has changed from Dernewic, Dernwick and Darnwick to the present Darnick. Darnick Tower was built in ca. 1425, and another tower house, Fisher's Tower, is still recognisable by its remains; however there is no trace of the third tower.

Skirmish Hill by Darnick is the site of a battle which took place on Juny 18th, 1526, by the Scotts, the Kerrs and the Elliots, trying to intercept King James V who was then under the guardianship of the Douglas clan.

John Smith of Darnick created the Wallace Statue at Bemersyde House. His family were builders and masons during the first half of the 19th century, and they have to their credit an extension to Abbotsford, Dryburgh Abbey House, Eckford Church, Gattonside House, Hawick North Bridge, the bridge over the Hermitage Water, Melrose Parish Church, and Yetholm Parish Church.

See also

• List of places in the Scottish Borders
• List of places in Scotland

References

• Douglas, Sir G (1899) 'A history of the Border counties (Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles}. Edinburgh; London.

External links

• RCAHMS record of Darnick, Skirmish Field

Sources

• A walk around Darnick, described by Nigel Tranter in his 'Illustrated Portrait of the Border Country' 1972

Coordinates: 55°36′N 2°45′W / 55.6°N 2.75°W / 55.6; -2.75