St Cuthbert - From the Tweed to the Edge
The most important saint in the Anglo-Saxon North, began his monastic life on the banks of the river Tweed…
Mary Craig navigates the journey of St Cuthbert, beginning with his Borders’ origins.
Before Durham Cathedral, before Lindisfarne, before the miraculous wanderings of his relics across northern England — Cuthbert was a man of the Celtic church who became a monk at Old Melrose; not Melrose Abbey as is often assumed, but a monastery on a bend of the Tweed. Here the monastic life of the most important saint of the Anglo-Saxon north began.
In his life he journeyed to the very edge of the world; the hermit's cell on Inner Farne where he was surrounded by sea and sky. His legacy has shaped theological and cultural thought from now until the present day. Mary Craig follows Cuthbert from his Borders origins to his extraordinary afterlife, and explores what it means that this place, these hills, these rivers, have shaped saints as well as wizards.
Mary W. Craig is a writer and historian with a particular interest in the women and men accused as witches in 17th century Scotland. She co-hosts a podcast, Border Bletherings, which explores the curious, shadowy and magical history of the Scottish Borders.
This event is held in community owned Bedrule Church and is brought to you by Maiden Mother Crone CIC. Read more about Maiden Mother Crone.
_____________________________________
ReMembering the Borderlands: St Cuthbert — From the Tweed to the Edge
Time: 7:00-8.30pm, Wednesday 29th July, 2026 [doors at 6.30]
Cost: Pay what you can [your generous donation helps MMC build a living archive as part of the MetaMapping the BorderLands project.]
_____________________________________
Come to all four talks in this series:
ReMembering the Borderlands is a monthly series held by Maiden, Mother Crone CIC , at Bedrule Church between April and July 2026.
Four figures from the Scottish Borders will be explored: Philosopher, Prophet, Wizard, Saint.
29 April — Duns Scotus: The Subtle Doctor
27 May — Merlin: The Wild Man of the Woods
24 June — Michael Scott: The Wizard of the Eildons
29 July — St Cuthbert: From the Tweed to the Edge of the World
Each evening is a gathering — not a lecture. A talk by Mary W Craig, followed by community sharing and open conversation.
If you have stories, memories, local knowledge, or family connections to the figure being discussed, this is the space to share them.