Friday March 6th 2026
How the venue will look
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
The sound of music is set to echo again around an historic Berwickshire church as plans to preserve it for future generations were rubber-stamped.
The former Polwarth Church in Gavinton near Greenlaw dates back to 1703 but incorporates earlier fabric and was recast internally in 1928.
Now Scottish Borders Council has granted approval for the refurbishment and adaptation of the A-listed building into an arts and crafts and musical performance venue.
It is to be brought back to functional use as a ‘performance space’ managed by the Marchmont Makers Foundation.
In his report approving the application, SBC assistant planning officer Cameron Kirk states: “The council’s Heritage and Design Officer was consulted on the application. They are supportive of the sensitive repair and re-use of Polwarth Church, as set out in this application. They welcome the proposals which should provide a sustainable future for the building.”
A report with the application stated: “Polwarth Kirk is Category A listed, and as noted in the listing ‘remains one of the most significant buildings in the parish and indeed, within Scotland as a whole’.
“The building had sadly fallen out of general use, and its future had been uncertain, until the purchase by the Marchmont Estate.
“The Marchmont Makers Foundation is committed to the highest standards of craftsmanship, and the promotion of the arts and skilled crafts in everything that it does.
“The standard of workmanship seen across the Marchmont Estate will be continued in the works to Polwarth Kirk, carefully conserving the building for future generations.
“Design intervention to the church is intended to be as minimal as possible, to retain its character, look and feel, but still provide functionality for new uses.
“The existing character of the entrance space is to be preserved, with many of the original photographs and signage being put back in their original location.
“New intervention is designed to be clearly legible, and ‘of it’s time’, following in the tradition of alterations to the church through the centuries.
“It is intended to add to the layers of history, rather than eradicate or create wilful change.”
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