Foulden Tithe Barn is one of only two left in Scotland. It is on the A6105 a few miles west of Berwick upon Tweed. Set in a walled enclosure in the corner of the churchyard, its date is uncertain but it was altered in the 18th and 19thC. It was used to store the tithe (one tenth of a person’s crop) which was due to the church. It has a stepped gable roof and steps lead up to a doorway on the west wall with ventilation openings above. There are two doorways on the south wall with more ventilation holes. Only the exterior can be seen as the barn is kept locked.
There is little information about the church, a small rectangular building dating from 1759 which was built on the site of an earlier church. It has a small bell cote at the west end and an unusual large flat east end with a battlemented top. On the base of the east wall is a memorial to the Vicar and his five children who died.
Inside it is unusual as the altar is at the west end. This has panelling behind it and five wooden chairs. There is a carved pulpit with the remains of an old stone font by it. The small wooden font and reading desk are modern. Walls are whitewashed apart from the north wall which is stone and there are simple bench pews. The blue barrel ceiling has white ribs across it. At the east end is a carved wood balcony now used for storage.
Stop for a quick look if you are passing but don’t bother to make a special journey.
