Smailholm

Smailholm, in keeping with most of the south eastern part of Scotland, was part of the ancient Kingdom of Northumbria and was named from the Old English language as Smael Ham, meaning "narrow village". In early mediaeval times, the village was larger than it is now and was divided into three separate parts, named East Third, West Third, and Overtown. Sir Walter Scott, as a boy, was a regular visitor to his grandfather's farm at Sandyknowe. Captain Cook's mother Jean was born in Smailholm and married his father in Smailholm Church. Before the end of the 18th century, there were two schools in the village, a parochial school and a private establishment at Sandyknowe. St. Cuthbert is believed…