Tag Archives: 1164

Soutra Aisle

Soutra Aisle is situated halfway between Edinburgh and the Abbeys of the Scottish Borders, it is all that remains of a Hospital, Monastery and Church which was founded in 1164 and was run by Augustinian Monks.

Soutra Aisle, The Borders Scotland

The Hospital was known as the House of the Holy Trinity and is believed to have been the largest hospital in medieval Scotland. The founders intention was that it was a hospital for the poor as well as travellers and pilgrims visiting the shrines of The Scottish Borders.

The remote location reflects medieval society’s suspicion and fear of sickness, but its locality to one of the few major routes in southern Scotland at that time shows that it was an essential institution for the support of the sick.

Soutra Aisle, The Borders Scotland

The church was built at the top of a hill where there were often fierce winds and frequent cold spells.

The winds still below today but these are now harnessed by a 26 turbine wind farm on Dun Law.

Soutra Aisle, The Borders Scotland