The needs of the upland district of this long, narrow parish were supplied by a chapel at Hoselaw built in 1426.

Unlike Linton Church which was independent this chapel was attached to the Abbey at Kelso. By 1560 Hoselaw Chapel was in ruins and no sign of the original building remains.

At the end of the last century Dr. Thomas Leishman was holding devine service at Hoselaw in a thatched cottage, after his death it was felt there could be no more fitting memorial to him than the restoration of the chapel.
 
So in 1906 the foundation stone of the new chapel was laid.

The white freestone building accommodating fifty people consists of a nave and a semi-circular apse which is most beautifully frescoed.

It depicts three angels bearing a scroll on which is inscribed "Allcluia for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth." The small apse window is copied from one at Weobley Castle in Gloucester and shows Our Lord holding the sacremented cup, the present minister at Linton conducts fortnightly services at Hoselaw and also preaches at Spouston.

Prior to 1855 Linton was practically unknown in eceleyiastical circles. From this quiet country parish Very Rev. Thomas Leishman, student of liturgy, theologian and writer was called to the Moderator’s chair in 1898.

His son Rev. James Fleming Leishman was ordained at Linton in 1895 and held the living till 1935. The building and equipping of the chapel at Hoselaw in memory of his father and the very fine restoration of Linton Church in 1912 are outstanding events in his ministry.

Farther and son they laboured in this quiet corner for eighty years. A visit to Linton Is proof enough that

" Their works do follow them."

I hope you enjoyed this short history of the Somerville name,
Full credit to J.B. Fleming

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