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This site was occupied by an Inn in the early 18th century and the oldest part of the present building may belong to that period. The structure was extended and partially rebuilt in 1726 and further additions were made about a century later.  Above the front door there is a lintel bearing the incised initials IT and ME for James Tweedie of Oliver and his wife Margaret Ewart. who were married in 1718.  (The above details are from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuemts of Scotland survey for Peeblesshire in 1959)(1).  

The Bield in 1933

The Bield could claim that it had the earliest post office in Tweedsmuir by a long way as John Graham of Claverhouse (Bluidy Clavers) when staying at the (Bild) Bield in 1682 sent "ane express" to the Duke of Queensbury at Drumlanrig(2).  This service could be termed a Postal Pony Express!   For more about the Bield as a Post Office see article below and Post offices in Tweedsmuir page.  One presumes that this Bild must have been a predecessor of the building mentioned above.

The building has a commerative plaque on the south gable to John Ker (1819-1886) an emminent Minister of the United Presbyterian Church who was born there.  The plaque can be seen in the image above at the centre of the end wall of the building fronting the road.  There is also a nice memorial stained glass window in Tweedsmuir Parish Church. This was installed in 1902 and was the first stained glass window in the Kirk.

The plaque disappeared c2005 and its whereabouts is presently unknown.   Fortunately the plaque is not included in the Listing by HES.

References.

(1) RCAHMS; Inventory for Peeblesshire, HMSO, Edinburgh, 1967.  No 546 Vol2 p284.

(2) Scottish History Society; Miscellany,Claverhouse Letters, Edinburgh, 1990. Vol XI, pp182-183.

ARTICLE FROM DECEMBER 2016 ISSUE OF THE UPPER TWEED COMMUNITY NEWS (ISSUE 75).