Place:Rutherford, Roxburghshire, Scotland

Rutherford is a small village lying 6 miles (10 km) southwest of Kelso in the Scottish Borders, to the south of the River Tweed in the former parish of Maxton.

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Refer to the parish of Maxton

The Four Rutherford Settlements

Commonly it is thought that there is only one village named Rutherford, actually there are 4; two in Scotland and two in northern England.

The Last Days of Rutherford by Gary Rutherford Harding, 10/10/2000 “The Rutherfords of Roxburghshire” privately published 6th edition - 2002

The hamlet of Rutherford, Scotland lies just south of the Tweed River between Melrose and Kelso just off highway A699 in Roxburghshire. Rutherford is about 6 to 7 miles north of Jedburgh. There are four locations in Britain that carry the name Rutherford; two in England and two in Scotland and all with historic links to the Rutherfurds of that ilk.

The town name of Rutherford or Ruderforde first appears in a charter of William the Lion shortly after 1165. A settlement at this location is no doubt of great antiquity. The nearby moor of Rutherford has the vestiges of a Roman encampment, with a Roman causeway. In its glory days Rutherford had a hospital dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene. Hospitals in those days were as much an inn as a hospital. Therefore, the mission of Saint Mary Magdalene's Hospital was to take in travellers and care for the poor and sick of the area. In those days, there was no church at Rutherford, only a chapel within the hospital. The chapel churchyard also had a cemetery. In 1296 the master of the hospital swore fealty to Edward I "Longshanks" of England. These were the days of Sir William Wallace's fight for Scottish independence from the English. This "fealty" was achieved at the point of a sword. Simon de Sandford, had custody of the hospital of Rutherford, near Roxburgh in Scotland, granted by Edward Baliol, King of Scotland. This was confirmed to him by King Edward III on 26 July 1335. He was dead by 31 Oct. 1337, when the custody of the same hospital was granted to William de Embledon, "Simon de Sandford being dead". Later when Scotland had won its freedom, King Robert the Bruce granted the newly created hospital to the protection of the Abbey of Jedburgh. As of yet, no archealogical work has been done on the former site of the town or its hospital. In about 1770 the cemetery was ploughed under. The gravestones were broken up and thrown into field drains by a farmer. In 1296 there was no parish attached to Rutherford, however, Rutherford was to become a parish of its own at a later time. The following quotation comes from the Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, edited by John Marius Wilson and published in 1868. This reference was found in volume II, page 401: "The present parish of Maxton comprises the ancient parishes of Maccuston/Mackiston and Rutherford." After its distruction by the English, Rutherford was absorbed into Maxton parish, a small town to the west.

During the reigns of Saint/Queen Margaret and Saint/King David [mother and son] abbeys were created at Kelso, Melrose, Dryburgh and Jedburgh. These were strategically placed defences from English invasions. This defensive line across the Cheviot Hills also included the smaller parishes, such as, Rutherford, Roxburgh, Makerstoun and Maxton. The Cheviot Hills are a region of heathered moorlands and smoothly rounded hills divided by deep glens. The Tweed River itself has always been a barrier against the English. Hadrian's Wall to the south had been the traditional border between Scotland and England, but the English pushed it back to our front door on the Tweed. Rutherford's postion as a key fording area on the Tweed made it very important militarily. If Jedburgh Castle fell, the next line of defense was Rutherford.

Jedburgh has always been the political, religious and military center of "the lands of Rutherford". Jedburgh was made a royal burgh in the reign of Saint/King David I and received a charter from Robert the Bruce. Central to the town of Jedburgh are the old red sandstone ruins of the Augustinian Abbey of Saint Mary, standing on the high left bank of the Jed River. Lands, churches, houses, and valuable fisheries, on both sides of the border, were bestowed on the abbey by David I, Malcolm IV, William the Lion, and other royal and noble benefactors. Alexander III chose to be married in the abbey church to Yolande de Dreux in 1285. The town also has been called Jedward, Jedworth, Jethart and Jeddart. Scotland's style of hanging them first and trying them afterwards is known as "Jeddart Justice," a term which originated when Sir George Home/Hume summarily strung up a gang of reivers during the reign of James VI.

For several centuries there was always some sort of fighting in the Cheviot Hills. As a result, fortified farmsteads known as pele castles sprang up throughout the area. Near to Rutherford are the famous castles/peles of Roxburgh, Smailholm Tower, Ferniehirst, Cessford and Traquair House. There were significant Rutherford towers at Hundalee, Hunthill, Edgerston and Rutherford itself.

Foreign politics also created friction on the Scottish border. England and France were constantly at war and Scotland was France's ally. In this way, Scotland was forever caught in the middle. For centuries the English and Scots took turns invading each other. To complicate things even more, the French were Catholic and the English were Protestant with the Scots historically torn between the two. Many Rutherfords were among the Scottish soldiers who went to France to fight the English. As a result, the lands of Rutherford and the surrounding areas became a lightening rod for English cruelty.

By 1297, English troops led by Sir Richard Hastings had so plundered and wrecked the abbey at Jedburgh that, in 1300, it was declared uninhabitable and the canons fled to Thornton-on-Humber. They hadn't even started rebuilding the abbey when it was ravaged again in 1410, in 1416 and in 1464. Reconstruction began in 1478 and the tower was partly rebuilt by 1508. But then, English troops led by the Earl of Surrey torched the place in 1523, another English force led by Lord Evers burned it down again in 1544 and the Earl of Hertford led more English troops to destroy the abbey for a third time not too long afterwards.

In a later period, the English warden Sir Ralph Eure, invaded Scotland southwest of Rutherford eventually losing a great battle at Ancrum Moor. The battle of Ancrum Moor was fought between the parishes of Maxton and Ancrum in 1543 at Lilliard's Edge. This place is named for a young woman of the name of Lilliard who fought with great bravery along with the Scots, and who lies buried in the field of battle. In this effort, the English commander, Sir Eure thought he had gained the cooperation of the Rutherford clan. The Rutherfords had agreed to fight with the English on the English side of the border in order to redress compliants against the Carrs/Kerrs. In fact on September 30, 1543 the Earl of Suffolk thought it unwise to mount a winter campaign north of the border with 10,000 English troops because of the threat of the Rutherfords at Hunthill, Hundalee and Edgerston. However, Sir Eure proceeded anyway making the fatal mistake of burning out dozens of border towns and then attempting to enter Rutherford country near Jedburgh. Jedburgh itself was burned to the ground and Adam, George, and Gawen Rutherford were taken prisoner.

From the times of Lord Thomas Rutherford of Edgerston, third son and eventual heir of Lord James Rutherford who lived from about 1460 to 1517, the Rutherfords had been allies and members of the clan Hume. Lord Thomas Rutherford even served as the bailie for Sir Patrick Home/Hume. Lord Thomas' son and heir was Lord Robert Rutherford of Edgerston who lived from about 1490 to sometime before October of 1544. Lord Robert was the leader of the dominant Rutherford line at the time of the Hertford invasion. He's honored among the Rutherfords for defending Edgerston from Walter Kerr of Cessford. For his efforts, he was declared an outlaw.

The English were pressing their campaign into Scotland in 1544 when the Rutherfords then joined their former rivals, the Kerrs, and defeated the English at Ancrum Moor. Ancrum Moor is a stone's throw from both Rutherford and Jedburgh. The battle was fought in February and Sir Ralph Eure, the English warden was killed. John Rutherford of Edgerston also died at this battle. Now the English thought they had been betrayed by the Rutherfords, but to the contrary, the Rutherfords had not agreed to fight for the English in Scotland. They had agreed to fight across the border in England and only against their enemy the Carrs/Kerrs. This was in return for the safety of the Rutherford family and the Rutherfords had kept their end of the bargain.

Lord Robert was to learn what many of our ancestors were to learn in America and throughout the empire; "never trust the English!" During the last months of his life, Lord Robert saw the ancestral village of Rutherford "spoiled" by Henry VIII's thugs in July of 1544. Two months later the town was "destroyed" on September 9th,1544. The rest of the village was burnt, razed and cast down between September 9th and September 13th, 1544. On September 16th Hundalee was "razed and brent".

Two days later, after the burning of four noble Rutherford estates, the Rutherford Lords of Hunthill and Hundalee rode out to meet and remind the English army of its covenant with them. The English called the Rutherfords liars for obeying the Scottish governor's command to attack at Ancrum Moor. Lord Robert reminded them that they were in Scotland now and the items of their covenant with the English had been strictly kept. Hertford then agreed to spare the already burned Rutherford estates. Lord Robert had hoped to "ride both horses" and had failed. The English responded by sending another even larger force of foreign mercenaries the following year, cutting deep into Scotland sacking Edinburgh itself.

Nowadays, these times are not forgotten on the Borders. Today every Border town celebrates this turbulent past by holding a Common Riding every year. Varying in style and content from one community to the next, they are all basically commemorations of the ancient need to ride the marches or "boundaries" of their communities for security purposes. The "riding clans" such as the Rutherfords, Scotts, and Kerrs ride out on horseback with banners flying. Toasts are drunk, ancient local customs are rehearsed, and everybody has a good time! The Common Riding was originally a military exercise to secure the town's defenses. The Common Ridings are also called "ride-outs." Ride-outs are led by "principals" whose "troops" follow on horseback around the town's outer limits. Ride-outs symbolically ensure that no rival clan has shifted the stone fences that formed local borders. Every July in Jedburgh, they have a rideout on "Festival Friday". Participants go riding to Ferniehirst Castle, the ancestral home of the Kerr family and then out to Jedburgh Castle There they present the new 'Callant' to the Kerr family and then ride back to town in great ceremonial style.

Another surviving tradition from that time is called "The Hand Ba' Game". It is celebrated on Candlemas [February 2nd] and comes from the troubles of 1549 when a few Scots played a post-battle football game with the severed heads of some Englishmen. Candlemas is a day of celebration in the town, culminating in a football game between the 'uppies' and the 'doonies'. Nowadays, a leather ball replaces the Englishman's head. In the good old days, they'd often captured an Englishman, cut his head off and kick the head around the town like a football. The boundaries of the game stretch from Castlehill, which is up on high ground, to Townfoot, down at the bottom. In this way, the town of Jedburgh is divided into the 'uppies' and the 'doonies' to form teams. English volunteers are still welcome!

sources:

1. "An historical and descriptive account of Roxburghshire" by Alexander Jeffrey published in Edinburgh by Fraser & Co. in 1836

2. "The Rutherfurds of that Ilk and their Cadets" by Thomas H. Cockburn-Hood published in Edinburgh at 1884

3. "The Rutherfords in Britain: a history and guide" by Kenneth Rutherford Davis published by Alan Sutton Publishing of Gloucester in 1987

4. "The history and antiquities in Roxburghshire and adjacent districts" by Alexander Jeffrey published between 1855 and 1864 by T.C. Jack

5. "The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland" edited by John Marius Wilson published in 1868

6. "Rutherford, Scotland: history and origin of Rutherford" by Bruce Rutherford - February 26, 1998

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Rutherford Village, Farm and Bridge – West Riding, Yorkshire by Gary Rutherford Harding “The Rutherfords of Roxburghshire” privately published 6th edition - 2002

In the Doomsday book the village of Rotherford/Rutherford is associated with the township of Austhorpe an historic Rutherford estate and the property or fee of Norman landlord, Roger de Busli.

"Austhorpe, a township in the parishes of Whitkirk and Garforth, lower division of the wapentake of Skyrack, in the West Riding of the county of York, 4 miles to the E. of Leeds.” - The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, 1868

Roger de Busli was a member of the great northern house of Montgomery, and was a particular favorite of William the Conqueror. According to the Doomsday record, he was in possession of hundreds of properties granted to him by King William. His seat was at Tickhill. Tichel in the Flemish language being the name for brick. Camden says that "Tickhill was of such dignity heretofore, that all the manors hereabouts appertaining to it were called the honor of Tickhill." Tickhill Castle was a very strong fortress, situated on a large Mount, and encompassed by a high and strong wall. William the Conqueror gave it to Roger de Busli, with 49 manors, including the Rutherford estate at Hickleton. While Richard I., was away at the crusades in Palestine, Tickhill castle was seized by his brother, Prince John, and the garrison, under Robert de la Mare, was besieged by Hugh de Pudsey, bishop of Durham, and after an obstinate resistance was obliged to surrender; after which, Roger de Laci, lord of Pontefract, who had held the castle for the crown, is said to have hanged many of the perfidious persons who had delivered the fortress to Prince John.

“The Baliol link and his paternal origin explain Sir Peter de Rotherford taking the Scottish part in the revolt of 1296 against Edward's high-handed oppression and staying for a time north of the Cheviots, for which he temporarily forfeited Hickleton (CDS II N.736). He seems however to have made his peace with Edward and his name is not among those compelled to submit in Scotland - perhaps because he had no property there - and his descendants continued to enjoy his estates. Forced to choose, he was probably content with his own heritage and reluctant to risk all by supporting a brother in an apparently hopeless dream of Scottish independence; long before he must have consented to his brother taking their father's Border lands. Sir Peter was alive in 1297 (SS 49, 4n) but probably dead -by 1298 and certainly by 1302 when Albreda who was no doubt his widow held two carticates in Austhorpe, and 15 carticates in Morley and Drighlington that were held of Pontefract Castle (Ib 49,227; FA VI, 129).” [KRD]

Sir Peter de Rotherford [Rotherfeld/Routherfelde] inherited land from his mother and held the West Riding manor of Hickleton (Strafford wapentake) by 1279 when he presented a parson to the church there. Hickleton is a parish-town, in the lower-division of Strafforth and Tickhill 6 miles from Doncaster, 9.5 from Barnsley, 10 from Rotherham, 40 from York. The church is a perpetual curacy, dedicated to St. Dionys, in the deanry of Doncaster.

Sir Peter de Rotherford’s grandfather was:

William de L'Isle [de Insula] b. circa 1223 Sessay, Yorkshire, England children: i. Helewisa de L'Isle [de Insula] b. circa 1249 ii. Euphemia de L'Isle [de Insula]

Sir Peter de Rotherford’s parents were:

Nicholas de Rotherford , Knight b. circa 1220 North Elmsall, Yorkshire, England m. Euphemia de L'Isle [de Insula]

Peter de Rotherford b. circa 1245 North Elmsall, Yorkshire, England Father Nicholas de Rotherford, Knight Mother Euphemia de L'Isle [de Insula] b. circa 1245 b. circa 1261 North Elmsall, Yorkshire, England Daughter: b. circa Dionysia de Rotherford

In the medieval period there was a settlement at nearby Scargill centered around the small fortified building known as Scargill Castle. This was built in the 13th century, and rebuilt in the 15th century. Edward II is reputed to have been entertained at the castle when he visited the area in 1323. Nearby stand the low earthwork remains of a possible medieval chapel. In fact Scargill Castle is the centre of a wider landscape of medieval (1066 to 1540) remains. Traces of medieval fields and earthworks can be seen in the surrounding area, and are probably all that is left of the medieval village. In the early 14th century Scargill Castle was referred to as 'cum Rotherforde' (with Rotherforde). The village of Rutherford has now disappeared, although its place name still survives and traces of the earthworks can still be seen on aerial photographs.

Rotherford Bridge, in the parish of Barningham; wapentake of Gilling West; 4.5 miles S. of Barnard Castle. Rutherford lane crosses the Greta River at Rutherford bridge

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Rutherford Tower – County Cumbria by Gary Rutherford Harding “The Rutherfords of Roxburghshire” privately published 6th edition - 2002

Rutherford Tower - aka Rutherforde; Morthwate; Old Hall; Rotherforde; Ruthord. Rutherford Tower is located in the modern County of Cumbria formerly Cumberland County in the parish of Nicholforest. A tower symbol is marked on the 1590 map of Cumbria at Rutherforde, and is marked as a house called `Morthwate' on the 1607 plot. It was probably a stonehouse or bastle. The English Place Name Society equated Rutherford with Old Hall, and the present farmhouse may have remains of the stonehouse.

The sole Rutherford document that survives from this early period which explains their presence in Cumbria and their connection with two families that signed the Magna Carta is:

Hugh de Rutherfurde witnessed a grant by Philip de Valoniis of lands at Torpenhow, Cumberland, to Robert de Stuteville; the deed was attested by Ralph, Abbot of Jedburgh from 1192 to 1205 (YAS Extra ser VII, Early Yorkshire charters IX, 125 (1952)).

Torpenhow aka Snittlegarth Moat - Fortified Manor House. Located in the modern County of Cumbria formerly Cumberland County in the parish of Bewaldeth And Snittlegarth. A rectangular moated site of possible fortified manor house mentioned in deed of 1367. Possible the Torpenhow refered to by G T Clark as 'seems to be fortified.' Websire reports “Recent excavations at the site have turned up a Norman period axehead and some coins.”

Rutherford Tower - Landranger Grid Reference NY45227889 Torpenhow aka Snittlegarth Moat – Landranger Grid Reference NY21643748 St. Mungo’s castle - Landranger Grid Reference NY17664703

Philip de Valoniis and Robert de Stuteville

The Manor of Torpenhow, at the Conquest, appears to have been a demesne of the barony of Allerdale; but soon after that event it was given by Alan, son of Waltheof, in marriage with his sister to Ughtred, son of Fergus, lord of Galloway. The manor was afterwards held successively by the de Valonais, Stutvilles, Mulcasters, Tilliols, Moresbys, and the Colvilles, from whom it passed by purchase to Sir George Fletcher and Thomas Salkeld, Esq., the latter having for his moiety the customary lands, the park, and mill.

The Church of Torpenhow, dedicated to St. Michael, is an ancient structure, containing some good specimens of Norman architecture. It underwent thorough restoration in 1882, at a cost of £900, but all the time-honoured features of the old edifice have been preserved with religious care. In carrying out the work of restoration, several interesting discoveries were made. The removal of the plaster which covered the walls enables us to assign the period at which different portions of the church had been erected. The first wall of the church was built of small square stones taken from the Roman camp, and in the jamb of the north-east chancel window may be seen a stone still bearing its Roman carving. The old piscina, with its curious decoration, has been brought to light. Some additions appear to have been made about the reign of Henry III (1216-1272). At the juncture of the chancel and nave was a small chantry chapel, cut out of the solid wall. The choir seats of the chancel are of beautifully-carved oak, and oaken benches have displaced the unsightly old pews of the nave.

The church of Torpenhow was given by Sabilla de Valonois and Eustachius Estoteville to the prioress and convent of Rossdale, in Cleveland ; and, in an award made in 1290 by Bishop Irton, the glebe, &c., of Torpenhow, together with the great tithes of Torpenhow, Threapland, Aldersceugh, Applewray, Snittlegarth, Bellasis, and Bewaldeth were assigned to the vicar for the maintenance of three priests and one sub-deacon, who should assist him in his ministerial duties, and say mass daily for the prosperity of the Bishop and his successors, and for the dead. It is valued in the King's Books at £33 4s. 10d. At the enclosure, which was made in 1808, about 650 acres were allotted in lieu of all tithes; those of Torpenhow and Bewaldeth townships belong entirely to the vicar, for which he has about 329 acres, viz., 240 for the former, and about 80 for the latter.

Blennerhasset and Kirkland, formerly a township in the parish of Torpenhow, was given by Alan, 2nd lord of Allerdale, to his brother-in-law, Ranulph de Lindesey his sister Ochtreda from which family it came by inheritance to the Mulcasters.

The barony of Lyddal or Liddell, extending over this parish and Kirk-Andrews, was given in the reign of Henry I. by Ranulph de Meschines, to Turgent Brundey, or Turgis Brundas, a Fleming. In the reign of King John it was in the baronial family of Stuteville or Estoteville whose daughter and eventually sole heiress, Joan, brought it to the baronial family of Wake. John, Lord Wake, died without issue in 1343, his only sister married Edmund Plantagenet, Earl of Kent, whose daughter Joan became the wife of Edward the Black Prince. - Magna Britannia - Parochial History 11-16

Nichol Forest Chapelry is a part of Kirkandrews on Esk Parish, being the northeastern portion of the parish and bordering on the parishes of Bewcastle and Stapleton. It extends about ten miles along the rivers Liddel and Kershope which separate it from Scotland. With the "Debatable Land", Nichol Forest formed the barony of Liddel which served as a buffer state between England and Scotland along the English West March. This area was the scene of many a raid and outrage during the reiver era. - T. Bulmer & Co's History, Topography and Directory of East Cumberland, 1884

"Nichol Forest, is a chapelry in the parish of Kirk-Andrews-upon-Esk, ward of Eskdale, county Cumberland, 10 miles N. by E. of Longtown, its post town. It is situated on the rivers Liddel and Kershop, which here form several cascades, and near the borders of Scotland. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agriculture. From the bed of the Liddel rises a medicinal spring strongly impregnated with alum, called Hert-feel Spa." - The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, 1868

Liddel barony, which comprehends both this parish and that of Kirk-Andrews-upon-Esk, "was one of the allotments," says Hutchinson, "made by Ralph de Meschines to his descendants, and was by him granted to Turgent Brundey - said to be a Fleming; king Henry I afterwards confirmed the same. It appears that this barony was a member of the honour of Dunstanburgh, in the county of Northumberland." In the reign of king John it was the property of the Stutevilles, to one of whom (William) that king gave the command of Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland, with the supreme government of all their castles. Nichol Forest, within this barony, is said to have derived its name from Nicholas de Stuteville, whose heiress (Joan) carried the family estates, in the reign of Henry III, to Hugh de Wake, lord of Wake. Male issue also failing, the heiress, Margaret, married Edward Plantagenet, earl of Kent, third son of Edward I, whose only issue was Joan, who married Edward, the Black Prince, father of Richard II, "by which means," continues Hutchinson, "some historians allege, this barony became vested in the crown; and others say king Edward III, by purchase from the earl of Kent, obtained it." These possessions appear to have remained with the crown till James I, in the first year of his reign, granted the forest of Nichol, with the manors of Arthuret, Lyddal, and Radlington, to Geo. Clifford, earl of Cumberland, to be held of the crown in capite, under a rent of £100, and the twentieth part of one knight's fee.

bibliography:

Mike Salter The Castles and Tower Houses of Cumbria, 1998

D. J. C. (Malvern) King Castellarium Anglicanum (New York), 1983

Denis Perriam and John Robinson The Medieval Fortified Buildings of Cumbria p240, 1998

W G Collingwood Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian & Archaeological Society Vol23 pp247, 1923

Bulmer's History & Directory Of Cumberland, 1901

Mannix and Whellan, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland History, 1847

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Rutherford Castle – Peeblesshire, Scotland by Gary Rutherford Harding “The Rutherfords of Roxburghshire” privately published 6th edition - 2002

Rutherford Castle is geographically a bit confusing because historically it refers to two locations, and nowadays, a third locale has joined the ranks, as well. The original Rutherford castle was a Hunthill estate near West Linton and Carlops in Peeblesshire. This area was dominated by the Lairds of Linton who included the Rutherford cousins; Comyn, Stewart and Douglas of Morton and Dalkeith. The castle site has been quarried over the years to supply building material for local farms and houses, so not much remains. The Hunthill cadet was unique among the Rutherfords in that the family had major holdings not only in Roxburghshire but farther east in Peeblesshire, as well. The barony had changed hands many times, but was reacquired by Andrew Lord Rutherford, Earl of Teviot in 1663 from John 2nd Earl of Traquair. This barony remained in the family’s hands until 1671 when Archibald 3rd Lord Rutherford [The Bride of Lammermoor] sold the barony and regality of Linton to John, 2nd Earl and later 1st Marquis of Tweeddale.

Undoubtably, the 'origin stories' of the Rutherfords, that quaint form of Scottish fiction called "pseudo-Celtic mythology" [ancient stories that have little basis in truth] came from Peeblesshire not Roxburghshire. King Ruther is often associated with Rhydderch Hael, King of Strathclyde, who was fleeing a hostile army when he crossed a river at "Ruther's Ford". Pure, but endearing, fantasy since no Rutherfords lived in Scotland at that pre-Norman period. In any case, the town of Linton Rutherick in Peebleshire is tied through tradition with Rhydderch Hael and Saint Kentigern [Mungo]. The local church is named for St. Mungo.

The name of Rutherford was not actually attached to this area until around 1821. Near the original castle a manor house was built around 1831 when the new ‘high road’ was built through the Rutherford lands. The manor house was used as a way inn and was called “Rutherford Castle Inn”. Until just a few years ago, the Rutherford House was a bed and breakfast operated by the Lamb family, wonderful people who were very helpful in the framing of this article.

Lastly, a new “castle” has joined the Rutherford ranks; the Rutherford Castle Golf Course, 18 Holes just outside of West Linton.

West Linton should not be confused for another Rutherford of Hunthill area which is simply called Linton. Linton is in Roxburghshire and once stood on the banks of a large pond/small lake. Linton means “a town on the lin or pool”. Rutherford cousins, the Somervilles, are the lairds of Linton. West Linton is both a village and a parish of in Peeblesshire.

On the Rutherford estate there is a mineral spring called `Heaven Aqua Well,' the taste of whose waters somewhat resemble that of the waters of the Tunbridge Spa. West Linton was once known as Linton Rodervck or Linton Rutherick. The double name is found as early as the 12th century, and was probably derived from that of the chief man or family in the district. According to Chambers (in his History of Peeblesshire, 1864), West Linton was at one time a burgh of regality and centre of traffic. Quoting from Pennicuick, he says: “In the Regent Morton's time West Linton was a pendicle of Dalkeith, but was created a burgh of regality by John, the first Earl of Traquair, who -derived from it his title of Lord Linton.. Linton is known to have had a resident bailie of regality, who was assisted in keeping order by a council, composed of portioners or small proprietors, known as the " Lairds of Linton."

Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical, Biographical and Historical, edited by Francis H. Groome and published in parts by Thomas C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh between 1882 and 1885.

J. W. Buchan & Rev. H. Paton A History of Peeblesshire published in three volumes - 1925-7 Jackson, Wylie and Co., Glasgow