On Thursday January 2nd a band of 14 intrepid members and friends of the Society set out for Lour near the Stobo Castle Health Farm. The steep climb up to the site certainly found out those who had indulged too much over the festive season. The fermtoun of Lour was built inside the remains of an old Iron Age fort and it commands excellent views of the surrounding countryside. Archaeological investigations confirmed the written evidence namely that there was a tower house at Lour. This was probably built around 1550-1580. The whole site was deserted by 1794 though the tower was possibly occupied by a tenant as late as 1715. Lour is a typical example of Lowland clearances which started as a result of the desire of the lairds to mimic the lifestyle enjoyed by their cousins south of the Border. One easy way to raise money was by replacing the people by sheep. Since the Lowland Clearances happened first the herds went North to places such as Caithness and Sutherland along with the sheep. Around the site of the village there are excellent examples of rig and furrow indeed there are three different types to be found.
The second place visited by the group was Stobo Church. Unfortunately much of Stobo Kirk was ruthlessly renovated in the 1860's and it was at this time that it lost its fine Norman chancel arch. However we should be thankful that not everything old was destroyed. There is a fine example of a 15/16th century tracery window which was put in the south wall of the church during the Victorian restoration . Originally it was at the east end of the church prior to being moved. It is very similar to a window to be found at Covington and indeed the same thing may have happened there as well. Fortunately the restorations have not completely destroyed the character of what was once a fine Romanesque church. Some evidence of the quality of the Romanesque work was seen in the windows in the chancel. The plan of the Romanesque church consisted of chancel, nave and square tower with pyramid roof. Many elements survive of this design including the lower part of the tower, the south door which has two plain capitals done in an imitation Corinthian style. The foundations of the north door survive but unfortunately no architectural elements survive.
The church is dedicated to St Mungo and the North aisle chapel is thought to have been connected to the saint himself. However this is considered to be unlikely and indeed there is some doubt as to whether there was a church or chapel in this spot prior to the 12th century. St Mungo alias St Kentigern (Mungo being St Kentigern's nickname-Mungo meaning 'Dear Friend') became quite popular in the 12th century after the Life of St Kentigern was written by Jocelyn of Furness. The north chapel was reconstructed in its present style in 1928. On on the far walls of the chapel can be seen two grave stones. One is of an armoured man with a large sword at his back . He is wearing a quilted jacket or gambeson and has plate armour to protect his legs and feet. This type of tomb is thought to date to the early 16th century. The other tomb is Mr Robert Vesey - sometime vicar of Stobo who died on May 10th 1473. There is another tomb in the chapel showing a miller's rind and thought to commemorate a miller but ther is no name on it.
Some prominent historical figures have been connected with Stobo Kirk. These include Sir John Reid, poet and adviser to James III, who was at one time a priest of Stobo. Indeed he is referred to as 'the gud gentill Stobo' in William Dunbar's poem 'the Lament for the Makaris' written in the early 16th century. Another person is William Hogg brother of the famous 'Etterick Shepherd'.
The group then moved onto Tibbie Shiel's Inn on St Mary's Loch where a fine lunch was enjoyed.