Lilliesleaf

Southern Uplands formed of tightly folded sedimentary rock strata, the hardest of which now form SW – NE aligned ridges, including that between Lilliesleaf Main Street and the Back Lane.

present interglacial period begins, leaving numerous lochs, lochans and peat bogs, including Lilliesleaf Moss

Iron Age farmers establish enclosed homesteads on ridges at Chapel Corner, Chesterknowes and perhaps under Lilliesleaf itself

Temporary Roman Army camp established at Millrighall and Chapel Corner farmstead rebuilt in Roman fashion

Settlements at Lilliesleaf (Lilla’s ‘cliva’ - meadow or cliff) and Midlem (‘Middle ham or settlement’) established by Anglian incomers from the south who named the ‘hillfort’ opposite sawmill as ‘Ryechester’

Lilliesleaf divided between the Bishopric of Glasgow (Easter Lilliesleaf) and the Riddell family (Wester Lilliesleaf). Represented by Lilliesleaf kirk, St Mungo’s well and Riddell motte.

Peles and tower houses at Riddell and in Lilliesleaf from the Reiving days; Isabel Howetson a witch? Riddell Aisle; ‘Conventicles’ on Lilliesleaf Moor during the ‘Killing Times’

Agricultural Revolution increased food production by expansion and reorganisation of arable land. Open fields enclosed by 1750, roads re-aligned and wetlands drained.

Railway opened 1849, bringing cheaper building materials and changing appearance of village. Parish population peaked at 798 in 1851 (civil parish 365 in 2001)