Swinton Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Swinton Kirk This 1729 kirk was extensively rebuilt on an earlier site of medieval fragments with later additions in 1782, 1837 and 1910. Although the first written record of a church on this site is in 1098, Christian worship has taken place in Swinton for over 1300 years. The bell, called Mary, is also known as the Flodden Bell, as it was rung in 1513 to sound the death of King James IV and many of his followers at the Battle of Flodden. The bell is inscribed:- “MARIA EST NOMEN MEUM, 1499” (Mary is my name, 1499) (Source: Borders and Berwick, an Architectural Guide by Charles Alexander Strang and a Swinton Kirk information leaflet).
Photo by Walter Baxter (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Swinton Kirk This 1729 kirk was extensively rebuilt on an earlier site of medieval fragments with later additions in 1782, 1837 and 1910. Although the first written record of a church on this site is in 1098, Christian worship has taken place in Swinton for over 1300 years. The bell, called Mary, is also known as the Flodden Bell, as it was rung in 1513 to sound the death of King James IV and many of his followers at the Battle of Flodden. The bell is inscribed:- “MARIA EST NOMEN MEUM, 1499” (Mary is my name, 1499) (Source: Borders and Berwick, an Architectural Guide by Charles Alexander Strang and a Swinton Kirk information leaflet).
Photo by Walter Baxter (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
The Green at Swinton The village was planned around this rectangular green where the village cross (1769) stands. The prominent building on the left is the former Free Church (1860) now used as the village hall, but closed to the public at present. The name Swinton probably comes from 'Swine Town' from the days when there were lots of wild boars (pigs or swine) in the area. (Source: Swinton Kirk information leaflet).
Photo by Walter Baxter (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Swinton, Berwickshire The 18th Century Market Cross standing on the village green
Photo by james denham (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
West Gatehouse (Swinton House) Identical to North Gatehouse submitted for NT8147
Photo by John Whelan (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
The Wheatsheaf at Swinton

The Wheatsheaf at Swinton

4 out of 5
The Green Duns Scotland
The price is AU$306 per night from 29 Jan to 30 Jan
AU$306
29 Jan - 30 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Duns. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Whitsome Ark and Coldstream Museum are located nearby.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (107 reviews)
Very relaxed establishment with charming staff. I would definitely return if my travels take me to the Coldstream area.

Reviewed on 5 Oct 2025

The Wheatsheaf at Swinton
SCHLOSS Roxburghe, part of Destination by Hyatt

SCHLOSS Roxburghe, part of Destination by Hyatt

5 out of 5
Heiton Kelso Scotland
The price is AU$530 per night from 2 Feb to 3 Feb
AU$530
2 Feb - 3 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Kelso. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (284 reviews)
The whole stay was excellent

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2026

SCHLOSS Roxburghe, part of Destination by Hyatt
Dryburgh Abbey Hotel

Dryburgh Abbey Hotel

3 out of 5
St Boswells Melrose Scotland
The price is AU$201 per night from 5 Feb to 6 Feb
AU$201
5 Feb - 6 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Melrose. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions Dryburgh ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (853 reviews)
Super comfortable bed in a spacious room. Very clean and tidy. Lovely welcome and advice about the state of the footpaths in the area are very muddy, so we wore walking boots for our river walk to William Wallace monument and along the river bank.

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Dryburgh Abbey Hotel
See all 964 properties in Swinton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Lodge- charming cottage on private country house estate

The Lodge- charming cottage on private country house estate

Berwick-upon-Tweed Scotland
Stay at this cottage in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Paxton House and Chain Bridge ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (60 reviews)
Amazing location in the border areas of Scotland, lovely home, fully equipped with everything you would ever need, and more. Extremely roomy, good wifi, a welcome cake and Shortbread, the grounds are really nice, even has a table and chairs to sit under the trees in, only 10 minutes drive from Berwick, ...

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

The Lodge- charming cottage on private country house estate
Stable Cottage - spacious one level cottage with private courtyard.

Stable Cottage - spacious one level cottage with private courtyard.

Berwick-upon-Tweed Scotland
Stay at this cottage in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Paxton House and Chain Bridge ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
It was a lovely, peaceful cottage, surrounded by a country estate. Everything well thought out, with a small welcome pack.

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Stable Cottage - spacious one level cottage with private courtyard.
A light & spacious flat, overlooking ruins of Kelso Abbey, close to town centre.

A light & spacious flat, overlooking ruins of Kelso Abbey, close to town centre.

Kelso SCT
Stay at this apartment in Kelso. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Kelso Abbey and Borders Abbeys Way ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (87 reviews)
Location of property was ideal for visiting Kelso & surrounding area. Well equipped with amenities and lots of information if needed for things to do. Would recommend using this property.

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2025

A light & spacious flat, overlooking ruins of Kelso Abbey, close to town centre.
See all properties in Swinton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Duns Castle Nature Reserve

Explore the great outdoors at Duns Castle Nature Reserve, a lovely green space in Duns. You can enjoy the bars while in the area.

Duns Castle Nature Reserve

The Jim Clark Room

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at The Jim Clark Room during your travels in Duns. While in this relaxing area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

The Jim Clark Room

Manderston House

You can find out about the history of Duns with a stop at Manderston House. While in this relaxing area, you can savour the top-notch restaurants.

Manderston House