eXplorador Escocés
Remains of a medieval past still standing
In North Berwick, in what would be the entrance to the port area which forms the ancient pilgrim path along the coast (possibly from Lindisfarne, "The Holy Island"), there's the small St Andrew's Old Kirk. This rural chapel had great importance in the past as a holy stop on the way to St. Andrews. This is the reason that it shares its name with the famous location further north in Scotland. Historical records show that the church was much bigger after its initial construction during the 12th century than what is there today. Pilgrims during medieval times had quite an effect on business and commercial transportation to other parts of Great Britain which explains the size and importance of this church.
The church was in full operation even after the Reformation in 16th century Scotland. Left standing now is the entrance porch and the foundation of the rest of the structure, which are still being studied for their historical significance. According to existing documents, there was a kind of earthquake during the 17th century caused by a heavy sea that collapsed the main part of the church while a tsunami devastated another part. Fortunately enough of the structure still remains to show us what happened here. The tour is free and quite interesting.
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