Coldingham

A font originally from the priory church here is noted in Hunter (1858): "A font, belonging to the Priory, was lately discovered in the parish of Hutton, by Dr Stuart of Chirnside. The fact of its having been removed from Coldingham, is distinctly traced ; and, though considerably worn and mutilated, the carving on the outside affords a good example of the style of the period in which it was executed, and is in conformity with that of the Priory. It is composed of a close grained freestone, and is of massive proportions. This once venerated vessel the receptacle of holy water was found in use as a feeding trough for pigs. The doctor, with good taste, and the possessor of the font with equal good will, made an exchange ; the former having substituted a substantial feeding trough, and removed this antique trophy beyond the reach of porcine snouts." Described and illustrated in Walker (1887) as a sandstone baptismal font basin in a good state of preservation which stands in the churchyard; "it is octagonal on top, and square at the base, the octagon developing to the square in moulded splay. The basin is circular and there is no drain. All its faces are quite plain. It is of small size." (Ibid., p. 418). [NB: it is not clear from Walker's description whether or not the font is also built into the SW wall]