| Where: | Yarrow, Borders at St Mary's Kirk of the Lowes |
| When: | 4th Sunday in July |
| Time: | 3pm |
In the seventeenth century Yarrow was the scene of religious dissent; presbyterian Covenanter preachers and their followers were forbidden to attend church services so were forced to worship outdoors, often huddling in blankets for protection from the elements. The annual open-air service in the churchyard near Yarrow commemorates this period in history, though as it’s in summer blankets aren’t usually necessary! It’s a very welcoming crowd, mostly of fairly local people but with a good scattering of those from further afield.
Helpful Hints
St Mary’s Kirk is ruined and is situated high above the north side of St Mary’s Loch. There is no vehicular access and the climb is very steep – allow maybe 15 minutes to walk up from the road (10 for the walk and another 5 at least to get your breath back!). The route is unsuitable for wheelchairs and anyone with mobility issues.
Many sources state that this is held on the last Sunday in July but in fact it’s not quite that simple as it’s actually on the 4th Sunday of the month. This is often the same day but in years where the first Sunday falls on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of the month, there are actually 5 Sundays in July and if you went on the last one you’d be a week too late. Visit the church website below and double check their calendar before setting off!
In 2024 it should be on Sunday July 28rd (the 4th and also the last Sunday of the month!). The service lasts around half-an-hour and includes acapella singing of well-known hymns.
Click here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ettrickyarrowchurch/
We turned up for the blanket service at St Mary’s Kirk on Sunday (29th) as advertised on this site and on the St Mary’s Loch website to find that we were alone and that someone had left a program dated Sunday 22nd July wedged in a fencepost. Needless to say, we were a bit disappointed but also wondered how other people had found out about the change of date – perhaps they were all locals, unlike ourselves who had driven from the Dalkeith area for the service.
Sorry to hear about this, Tom – it’s a real problem getting the right information when things have been altered. I’ll do my best to try and find a contact who actually has a direct connection with the organisation of the event in time for next year, though obviously that’s too late for this time. It’s one of those events that it’s difficult to find out about – otherwise I guess you’d have double checked with them yourself before setting off. I’ll amend my article to reflect what you’ve told me then hopefully I’ll get it right for future years.
Best Wishes,
Averil
Dear Tom,
I’ve been researching the Yarrow Blanket Preaching further and I believe that the date is actually the 4th Sunday in the month rather than the last, even though it’s very widely reported as being the last in the media. This is often the same day but in years where the first Sunday falls on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of the month, there are actually 5 Sundays in July (as in 2012) which would explain why it was held a week earlier than we expected. I’ll confirm the formula on the site when I hear back from the Minister. I know it won’t fix your disappointment from this year but at least we’ll know when it happens in future!
Best wishes,
Averil