The St Abbs Visitor Lists
The St Abbs Visitor Lists, published in the local paper from 1897, tell us who was holidaying in the village at that time.
The local Berwick Advertiser started printing visitor lists for St Abbs in 1897. These wonderful pieces of social history give us an indication of how quickly Andrew Usher’s investment and benefaction began to change the complexion of the village after his purchase of the Northfield estate. The first list was published on 23rd July 1897 and included the following visitors and guests:
The Schoolhouse – host Mrs Gibson – guests Miss Morton and Master J Morton from Govan, and the Misses Gibson from Closeburn.
Penrhyl Villa – host Mrs Darrie – guests Mrs Wells and party from Pollockshiels, Miss McBride from Glasgow.
10 Briery Law – host Mr Hugh Aitchison – guests Mr and Mrs Laidlaw, family and maids from Hillside, Duns.
8 Briery Law – host Mrs D Cormack – guests Rev Archibald Russell, Mrs Russell, family and maids from Glasgow.
Sea View – host Miss Cowe – guests Mrs J Logan Mack and family from Edinburgh.
6 Sea View – host Mrs Joseph Cowe – guests Miss Thomson from Edinburgh and Miss Bruce from Glasgow.
5 Briery Law – host Mrs R Wilson – guests Mrs Smalley from New Zealand, Mr J J Donald from Edinburgh, Miss M Donald, Master Alan Donald, and Miss Rodgers and maid from Manchester.
4 Briery Law – host Mrs T Wilson – guests Mr and Mrs Dick and family from Edinburgh.
3 Briery Law – host Mrs R Aitchison – guests Mr and Miss Bathgate from Edinburgh, Miss Harvey and Miss Robertson from Stirling.
2 Briery Law – host Mrs T Wilson – guests the Misses Glendinning from Edinburgh.
1 Briery Law – host Mrs T Wilson – guests Mrs Ayton and family, Miss G H Ogg from Edinburgh, and Miss Ogg from London.
Seafield – host Miss Katie Rae – guests Mr and Miss Lyon and Mr Lyon from Edinburgh.
Bay View – host Miss J Wilson – guests Mrs Young and family from Earlston and Miss Mair from Edinburgh.
Albion Villa – host Mrs George Wilson – guests Mr and Mrs Dunn and family from Earlston, and Miss Scott and Mr Readman from Earlston.
2 Murrayfield – host Mr James Wilson – guests Miss Fockhart from Stirling, and Mr R Tweedie from Galashiels.
2 Sea View Terrace – host Mrs James Nisbet – guests Mr and Mrs Gibson, family and maid from Newcastle.
4 Sea View Terrace – host Mrs W Dickson – guests Mr and Mrs Grosset and family, and Mr Ramsay, from Glasgow.
Sea View Terrace – host Mrs James Rae – guest Miss Glendinning from Edinburgh.
6 Sea View Terrace – host Miss Craig – guest Miss Rodgers from Springburn, Glasgow.
12 Sea View Terrace – host Mrs Peter Colven – guests Mr and Mrs Smith and family from Edinburgh.
Rock House – host Mrs Cormack – guests Mr and Mrs Thomson and Miss Graham from Glasgow, and Mr and Mrs Haggarty and Miss Pairman.
Harbour Terrace – host Mr Alexander Wilson – guests Mr and Mrs Baird and family from Edinburgh.
Northfield House was occupied by the owner of the Northfield estate – Andrew Usher, Mrs Usher, Miss Usher, Miss Hill and maids, from Blackford Park, Edinburgh.
Castle Rock Villa was occupied by Mrs Wood, the Misses Wood and maids, from Edinburgh.