Cornhill on Tweed stands on the Anglo-Scottish border and was at the centre of a war zone for at least 600 years. The village has witnessed the passage of invading forces of both sides. The armies of Edward I, James IV, the Covenantors and General Monck’s Coldstream Guards have passed through the village utilising the Tweed fords. On two occasions it was attacked directly by Franco-Scottish armies.

The village has been the home of four families of the North Northumberland gentry. The Greys were soldiers in the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Swinhoes, a catholic family at the centre of the religious and dynastic conflicts of the 15th and 16th centuries and the English Civil War, the Fosters who were part of the reforming protestant gentry and the Collingwoods whose family included Nelson’s second in command Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood.

Cornhill has been at peace for the last 250 years and became a link between the two nations with the creation of Coldstream Bridge and playing host to Coldstream Railway Station.

Now friends, those on both sides of the border can raise a glass of Cornhill Gin to remember the past and celebrate the future.

Researched and written by our friend and neighbour David Heslop