Blackpotts is located in a wonderful elevated spot, a mile and a half outside the village of Coldingham and about 400ft above sea level with clear uninterrupted views in all directions.
To the south on a clear day the Cheviot Hills form the horizon, Northwards St Abbs Head with its lighthouse. Eastwards you can see Coldingham Bay, and the North Sea stretching away towards Denmark. South East from Blackpotts is the fishing port of Eyemouth, and on a clear day you can see Lindisfarne and Bamburgh Castles with the flashing of the Longstone Lighthouse clearly visible after dark. Look west and you will see the rolling Berwickshire farmland and Coldingham Moor.
Being situated high up on a headland gives the opportunity for stunning views and some bracing breezes. The photos here on our website will give you some idea of the wonderful scenery that surrounds Blackpotts Cottage.
The land to the north of the cottage is owned by the National Trust and scattered throughout the area to the north and west are the remains of various ancient hill forts, fortified steadings and settlements, many from the Iron Age. The fortified site nearest the cottage being the subject of an extensive archaeological excavation by the National Trust in 2009.
Blackpotts Cottage itself comprises two former farm workers cottages that were rebuilt into one in 1996, with an extension added. The cottages were previously rebuilt in the 1840’s, but their history goes back long before that as evidenced by aspects of their construction uncovered during building renovation works including axe cut roof beams (pre-saw!) and pegged joints (nails were scarce and expensive in the Middle Ages). Prior to 1840 what is now Blackpotts Cottage was the original farmhouse. A single storey ‘long house’ where the animals were kept over the winter in one end, which formed a byre. The other end was the house for the farmer and his family. In 1840 a new farmhouse was built and the old ‘long house’ was rebuilt and divided into farm workers cottages, which in 1996 were converted again into todays residence.
Coldingham Parish records refer to the baptism of infants from Blackpotts in 1739 and 1746, and buildings are shown on the site on a map from the late 1700’s. It is indeed possible that there have been dwellings on the site since the days of the iron age settlement.
