Gifford, East Lothian
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- This page is about the village in Scotland. For other uses, see Gifford (disambiguation).
The area is thought to have been first settled around 1421, with Gifford becoming a named settlement in 1708. The initial chief industry in the town was the paper mill, which was once the source of the Bank of Scotland's bank notes. However, this mill closed in the late 18th century and since then the village has largely been residential and supported local farming communities.
The town church has a bell which dates from the 15th century, while the "Mercat Cross" was established in 1780 and is still standing in the town square. There are two inns in the village, the Tweedale Arms and the Goblin Ha', the latter named after an underground chamber in a nearby country house featured in the novel Marmion by Sir Walter Scott. There is also a golf course and a large park which is near the Gifford Water (river).
Famous Residents
- Rev. John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, was born in Gifford in 1722. He studied at the University of Edinburgh and was a Presbyterian minister in Ayrshire before emigrating to the Province of New Jersey, where he became President of Princeton and a leader in the Revolutionary War. Reese Witherspoon is a direct descendant.
- Double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Willie Wood MBE is from Gifford. He learned the sport at the Gifford Bowling Club and as well a large collection of medals he holds the record of competing in seven Commonwealth Games.
External links
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