Jougs, St Andrew’s Kirk, North Berwick

Jougs were metal collars or neck irons formerly used as an instrument of punishment for contravening the rules of the Kirk in Scotland, the Netherlands and other countries.

“The session appoints ane paire of iogges to be made as formerly has been and affixed in the most convenient pairt within the church yeard.”

North Berwick Kirk Session Minutes, April 1674

This collar was mounted close to the door of North Berwick's Kirk Ports Parish Church and was preserved when that building was closed. Transgressors in the eyes of the Kirk Session were sentenced to a period confined by the neck, in full view of anyone entering the church. A similar set survives at Spott Parish Church. These jougs are similar to the 'Juggs' that miners at Prestongrange described being used on colliers who disobeyed their master.

East Lothian Museums Service