Discover Gordon: History, Walks and Nature

For a stay in Gordon, local history and landscape can be considered as two distinct themes. The churches highlight different building phases and historical interpretations; Gordon Moss and Gordon Community Woodland offer different connections to the landscape. Greenknowe Tower adds a designated monument and specific visiting conditions to your plans. When comparing them, consider their respective histories, stated locations and described access.

Churches and architectural history

St Michaels Parish Church is believed to stand on a church site dating from the 12th century. The church was built in 1763 and later extensions were added in 1897. The churchyard contains gravestones from the 18th and 19th centuries. These details relate to different points in time: the presumed history of the site, the construction of the church, later structural additions and the gravestones. If you want to put historic buildings into context, these stages can be distinguished in this way.

Gordon Old East End Church dates from 1843 and has extensions dating from 1893. A former Free Church, it stands prominently at Gordon’s eastern entrance on the A6105. In 1892, Mr Wood Brown donated the porch, tower, belfry and a library intended for the minister. The donation dates from one year before the extensions mentioned; the two dates mark different stages in the building’s history.

Greenknowe Tower: monument and visiting status

Greenknowe Tower is designated as a Scheduled Monument. For your plans, it is important to distinguish between the grounds and the tower: the grounds are open to explore, but the tower is currently closed while major conservation work is underway. It can be viewed through a protective fence. Access to the grounds does not mean that you can enter the tower. Check visitor access again before your trip.

The landscape around Gordon

Gordon Moss, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), lies less than a kilometre west of Gordon. This area has the protected designation. Gordon Community Woodland, by contrast, is located one mile east of the village of Gordon on the A6105. The two landscape destinations can therefore also be distinguished by location: Gordon Moss lies to the west, and the woodland to the east of the village.

Various deciduous trees grow in Gordon Community Woodland; there is also a large pond, picnic areas and benches. These features give you specific landmarks when planning a visit to the outdoors. The picnic areas and benches provide designated places to take a break, while the pond and deciduous trees help shape the character of the woodland.

Planning walks and travel

The main car park for Gordon Community Woodland is on the A6105 and is marked by a large stone pillar. The accessible path to a picnic area starts at the car park. With assistance, this path is suitable for wheelchair users. Other paths with gentle gradients also run through the woodland. If you rely on the accessible path, check the current access conditions in advance.

There is an official core paths map for Gordon and Greenlaw. A timetable valid from 25 November 2024 lists Service 84 between Kelso and Gordon via Kelso Hospital and High Croft. For a specific journey, check the departures in the timetable that applies to your travel date. This lets you consider route planning and travel separately, without assuming a particular connection between the landscape destinations mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Newcastleton, Kelso, Selkirk, Houndslow, Ettrickbridge, Cockburnspath, Clovenfords, Eyemouth.

Return to the main travel overview: The Scottish Borders.