Channelkirk is a parish and community council area in the north-west corner of the historic county of Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, forming the upper part of the ancient district of Lauderdale, while the parish of Lauder forms the lower part.

[2] The parish is drained by several headwaters of the Leader Water, the river of Lauderdale, one of which is Kelphope Burn, which forms the eastern boundary.

[5] Near the source of the burn Holy Water Cleugh, nearby, St Cuthbert, while a child, was placed under the protection of a religious man during his mother's pilgrimage to Rome, in 636 AD.

By the beginning of 17th century the lands of Oxton appear to have become separated into several distinct properties, each with its own special designation.

[8] Carfrae has a strategic position commanding the passes from Upper Lauderdale into Lothian, by way of Glengelt and Kelphope glens.

[10] Civil parishes in Scotland, as units of local government, were abolished in 1929 [11] but have been used later for census and other purposes.