Dumfries & Galloway: Summary of places of interest
O-Z

 

 

OLD BRIDGE OF URR   84 : NX 7767  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 106)

    C16 hamlet built around the bridge which crosses the Urr Water.

    Bridge (C16, 1772 & 1843): Two-span bridge with two weathered carved panels of 1580.

    Mills: Upstream a small waulk mill. Downstream is the decaying Mill of Urr with waterwheel, stones and unusually, a separate kiln.

    NNE. Chipperkyle: See Kirkpatrick Durham.            

    NNW. Doon Hill: Archaeological site of the Mote of Doon.

    NW. Trowdale: Archaeological site of a fort.

Also see Balmaghie, Castle Douglas, Clarebrand, Corsock, Crocketford, Crossmichael, Dalbeattie, Gelston, Glenlochar, Haugh of Urr, Kirkpatrick Durham, Knockvennie, Rhonehouse & Kelton, Springholm.

 

ORCHARDTON   84 : NX 8155  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 154)

    Orchardton Bay SSSI: Inlet on the Solway Coast between two headlands that end at Almorness Point and Torr Point.

    Orchardton Tower HS (C15): Fine example of a free-standing tower-house, the only known cylindrical (Irish style) tower in Scotland. Local views from caphouse.

    SSE. Almorness House (N of): Archaeological site of a fort.  S is Almorness Point which lies opposite Hestan Island.

    SSW. Orchardton House (1881): Baronial encasing an earlier 1761 classical house. Stables are in the classical style. Walled garden.

    W. Screel Hill: Marked forest walks to in the Solway Hills with fine views.  Mountain bike routes for experienced riders.

    Also see Auchencairn, Balcary, Buittle, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Gelston, Hestan Island, Palnackie, Rhonehouse & Kelton.

 

PALNACKIE   84 : NX 8256  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 155)

    Formerly a port for Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie situated on a creek off the Urr. Some fine C19 houses built of local granite.

    Barlochan House (C19): A baronial mansion, elaborately castellated with a slender tower at the NW corner.

    North Glen Gallery: Glassblowing and design.

    Harbour (c.1850): Built with wooden piles and planks. Small warehouse.

    SE. Glen Isle: Each summer the World Flounder Tramping Championships are held on the mud flats of the peninsula.

    N. Kirkennan: Site of former Kirkennan Church, remains of burials were found - possibly from period prior to the building of Buittle Church (C13).

    Also see Auchencairn, Balcary, Buittle, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, Gelston, Orchardton.

 

PARKGATE and KIRKMICHAEL   78 : NY 0187  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 62)

    Barony Agricultural College: Jacobean house from 1832-3 in Locharbriggs sandstone. Modern courtyard block from 1984.

    Beech Avenue was built on the site of a WW2 POW camp.

    Kirkmichael Parish Church (1813-5): T-plan church with good monuments and 1 war grave (CWGC) in the graveyard.

    E. Gamerigg: See Shieldhill

    E. Nethermill: Small neat village with WM at crossroads.

    Also see Ae, Amisfield, Courance, Duncow, Heathhall & Locharbriggs, Kirkton, Lochmaben, St Ann’s, Shieldhill, Templand, Tinwald.

 

PARTON   77/84 : NX 6970  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 105)

    Glenkens estate village (1901) for Parton House (demolished 1964) with a terrace of A&C houses with a clock tower. Restored c.1972.

    Airds House (1884): Scots-accented picturesque large villa. Wall stones at N entrance are from Little Water-of-Fleet viaduct..

    Boat o’ Rhone: Loch Ken rail viaduct (1861) with 3 bowstring spans. In 1935 mail train crashed down the W embankment without injuries!

    Boreland Glen: Boreland Mote is an archaeological site of a motte.

    Boreland of Parton: Extant surface features of a ROC underground monitoring post (1960-91), also concrete base of an aircraft observation post.

    Fountain (1902): Horse and dog trough memorial for B. Rigby Murray, a benefactor of the village.

    Motte of Parton or Kirkland Mote (C12 or C13): A well-defined motte in the classic ‘pudding shape’ is S of the Parish Church.

    Old Parish Church (1592): Remains include a 1635 bellcote and tomb of James Clerk Maxwell (see below). Pulpit survives in National Museums of Scotland.

    Parish Church (1832-3): Heritors’ Gothic style. Interior recast c. early-C20, but some earlier box-pews survive. C16 carved slab.

    Parish Churchyard: Tomb and Monument to James Clerk Maxwell, second only to Einstein as the founder of modern science.

    Parton Walk (Boat o’ Rhone): Walk to Red Kite information and viewing point.

    Railway (1861-1965): Traces of old ‘Port Line’ railway trackbed. The former station/platform is now an extended house. Also see Boat o’ Rhone above.

    River Dee (Parton-Crossmichael) SSSI. See Loch Ken.

    Summerhouse (1901): Octagonal A&C building behind the terrace. Built originally as the communal lavatory. Converted 1992.

    Village Hall (1908): A&C building, but with corrugated-iron roof.

    E. Barwhillanty (1886): Victorian mansion, vaguely French, with central pyramid-roof tower and lych-gate porch. Elaborate interior.

    E. Craichie: The Craichie Burn flows parallel with the road for a while before descending to Loch Ken via the pretty Craichie Glen.

    N. Glenlaggan: Loch Ken Marina and Ski School. Loch Ken information point.

    NNW. Glenswinton: Cairn Hill, an archaeological site of the remains of a large circular cairn.

   NNW. Merkland Hill: Archaeological site of a fort (Little Merkland).

    SE. Hangman’s Stone: Commemorates a hangman’s tree that once stood in the area.

Also see Castle Douglas, Clarebrand, Crossmichael, Galloway Kite Trail, Glenlochar, Ironmacannie, Knockvennie, Loch Ken, Mossdale.

 

PENPONT   78 : NX 8494  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 40)

    Early C19 planned village, built to accommodate people displaced by amalgamation of farms.

    Birthplace of the African explorer, Joseph Thomson, who gave his name to Thomson’s gazelle. Thomson’s cottage is to be developed as a heritage centre. Also see Thornhill.

    Carse Brae: In this street is a former granary (c.1850), now a unusual house.

    Parish Church (1867): Large impressive buttressed Gothic church. Art Nouveauish communion table (1923).

    Parish Churchyard: Contains 4 war graves, in care of CWGC.

    Penpont Free Church: See Burnhead.

    Penpont WM (1920): A life-sized bronze sculpture of a soldier.

    SSW. Capenoch: Baronial house by David Bryce with stone-mullioned conservatory. Notable buildings include the bridge and lodge.

    SSW. Capenoch Loch: Long cairn of c.C3-C2 BC. A unification of several originally separate chambered cairns.

    WNW. Grennan Hill: Archaeological site of a fort.

    E. Stepends: On top of a hillock on N side of A702 between Penpont and Burnhead, is a large ‘pinecone’ sculpture by Andy Goldsworthy.

    SW. Tynron Juniper Wood: Nature Reserve.

Also see Barjarg, Burnhead, Cample, Carronbridge, Closeburn, Drumlanrig, Glenmidge, Keir Mill, Kirkland, Marrburn, Moniaive, Morton Castle, Scaur Water Glen, Thornhill, Tynron, Wallaceton.

 

PENWHIRN and CAIRNERZEAN   82 : NX 1369  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 95-96)

    Penwhirn Reservoir and large modern Water Filter Station.

    The road from Penwhirn to Innermessan passes WW2 bombing targets on Braid Fell and some roadside water-filled bomb holes. Fine views of Loch Ryan and Stranraer area.

    Cairnerzean Fell: Archaeological sites in the area include cairns, enclosures, farmsteads, field systems, hut circles and shielings.

    Galloway Moors SSSI: Much of the area, mainly to the S comprises part of the Glen App & Galloway Moors protection area for upland grasses & heaths.

    Pularyan: Archaeological sites in the area include a burnt mound, cairns, farm buildings & kilns, a farmstead, hut circle and shielings.

    Waterfalls in the area include the Loups of Penwhirn, Dalnigap (N), and Kilfeddar (SE).

    NW. Cairn Hill: Archaeological site of Brockloch Cairn.

    S. Lingdowey Cairns: Archaeological sites of cairns S of Cairnerzean.

    Also see Auchmantle, Innermessan, Lagafater, New Luce.

 

POLBAE   76 : NX 2872  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 98)

    Polbae House and Lodge by the SUW with remains of spectacular grounds and ornamental lake. Refurbishment in progress.

    SUW and the road cross the River Bladnoch by the Tannylaggie Bridge and the Polbae Burn by the Darloskine Bridge.

    W. Blood Moss SSSI: Protected area of wetlands.

    W. Loch Derry: Lies beyond the road end by Craigairie Fell. The SUW continues toward Laggangarn.

    Also see Knowe, Laggangarn, Loch Maberry.

 

POLGOWN   77 : NS 7103  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 22)

    Situated on the picturesque Scaur Water Glen road.

    The SUW – en route from Dalry to Sanquhar - shares the road between Polgown and Polskeoch.

    NE. Whiteside Hill: Approved site of wind farm with 30 turbines.

    Also see Holm of Dalquhairn, Polskeoch, Scaur Water Glen.

 

POLSKEOCH   77 : NS 6802  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 22)

    The picturesque Scaur Water Glen road comes to an end here. 

    The SUW – en route from Dalry to Sanquhar - shares the road between Polskeoch and Polgown.

    Chalk Memorial Bothy: A shelter on the SUW.  Near here a rough track then path lead SE to Lorg Bridge. See Holm of Dalquhairn.

    SSE. Allan’s Cairn: A red sandstone monument to two Covenanters.

    Also see Holm of Dalquhairn, Polgown.

 

PORTENCALZIE   76/82 : NX 0271  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 94)

    Situated in NE corner of The Rhins. An unmade road descends 0.5mi/0.8km to Lady Bay picnic site with views across Loch Ryan to Glen Asp.

    N. Corsewall Point to Milleur SSSI: Coastal geological protected area. Also see Corsewall Point.

    NW. Caspin: Archaeological site of a fort.

    SW. East Kirkbryde: Site of St Bride’s Church, possibly a convent. St Bride’s Well is a natural spring.

    SW. High Ardwell: Extant surface features of a ROC underground monitoring post (1964-91), nearby is an Orlit observation post.

    N. Milleur Point: Headland at the northern tip of the Rhinns of Galloway, on the west side of the mouth of Loch Ryan.

    Also see Corsewall Point, Ervie, Kirkcolm.

 

PORT LOGAN   82 : NX 0940  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 168)

    Established early C19 as an improved port on Port Logan (or Port Nessock) Bay. The small village itself consists of two rows of houses, inn, tea room & park farm. Sandy beach.

    Location for the 2001 BBC Television series “Two Thousand Acres of Sky”.

    Harbour (1818-22). Part of the pier is ruined, but the seaward end survives with circular ashlar lighthouse and former toilet (1830s).

    Logan Tidal fishpond (1788-1800): Restored Victorian fish larder with castellated cottage entrance, sea-aquarium and touch pools.

    Port Logan SSSI: Small protected geological area at S end of bay.

    NW. Clanghie Point: Archaeological sites of two forts.

    NW. Duniehinnie: Archaeological site of a fort.

    E. Killumpha (c.1600): Small tower remodelled 1823 and later extended with a farmhouse, itself recently changed to 1823 style.

    SW. Muldaddie: Archaeological site of a fort.

    Also see Ardwell, Clachanmore, Crammag Head, Drummore, Kirkmadrine, Logan, Sandhead, Terally.

 

PORTPATRICK   82 : NX 0054  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 141)

    Situated in an inlet in very rocky coast. Until 1849 a port for steamers to Donaghadee in Northern Ireland, now a small resort.

    Downshire Arms Hotel (C19): Large extended hotel.

    Free Church (1886-7): Simple Gothic former church, now a hall.

    Harbour: Pier built 1774, harbour 1821-36 but both gale damaged 1839. New basin built 1859-66.

    House o’ Hill (1974-5): Predominantly sited tall villa with monopitch roof.

    Lifeboat Station (1877 & 1993): ‘Tyne’ lifeboat. Station includes a RNLI seasonal gift shop. Former lifeboat derrick crane.

    Inglenook (1776): Former Parish Manse next to Old Parish Church. Altered 1886-7.

    Old Parish Church (1628-9): Roofless remains. The c.C16 tower (with 1791 cupola) was maybe once a beacon. Maritime tombstones.

    Parish Church (1840-2): Big Gothic building with tall W tower. Inside, a bronze bell (1748) from the Old Parish Church.

    Portpatrick Cemetery: Contains 6 war graves, in care of CWGC.

    Portpatrick Hotel (1905-7): Dominant position. Mainly baronial, it affords fine views over the town and coast.

    Portpatrick Railway (1862-1950): Remains of trackbed in area; Portpatrick Station site is now built over. Traces of harbour branch with cliff reverse spur cuttings (1862-1875).

    Primary School (1979): A highly original brick-built school with radial buttresses on a hillside setting.

    St Ninian’s S.Ep Church (1937): Minute harled church.

    South Crescent: Small limekiln tucked into a cliff.

    South Pier & Lighthouse (1896): Keepers’ houses of earlier Rennie light are now craft shop and pottery.

    Southern Upland Way: Start point and information at harbour of the 212mi/341km long distance path to Cocksburnspath - opened 1984.

    SSE. Craigoch Burn: A hydroelectric dam (1903-4) supplied power to Portpatrick, but due to lack of demand it closed down in 1922.

    NW. Archaeological site of a fort.

    S. Dunskey Castle (C16): Substantial remains of tower-house in spectacular coastal setting. Views toward Northern Ireland; Belfast Power Station can be seen.

    N. Dunskey Farm: The gable end of a byre houses a fine doocot.

    N. Dunskey Glen: Walled garden, greenhouses and fine woodland walking area, open summer season.

    N. Dunskey House (1901-4): Last Baronial style in Galloway with lavish interiors – it replaced a 1706 house.

    N. Port Kale Cove: Foot of Dunskey Glen. A unique double pyramidal cable station marks first telephone line to Ireland (1853-1983).

    Also see Cairngarroch, Knock and Maize, Knockinaam, Larbrax, Lochans, Stoneykirk, Stranraer.

 

PORT WILLIAM   82 : NX 3343  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 161)

    Small port and resort founded by Sir William Maxwell in c.1775 in the valley of the Killantrae Burn. Planned settlement in early C19.

    Free Church (1862-3 & 91): Disused church with lancet windows and metal bellcote. 1891 manse behind.

    Harbour (1790 & 1898): At mouth of the Burn. Pier extends into deeper water. Prominent gatepiers at The Square. Coastguard surface craft base.

    King’s Loop: Rue of Doury was an old landing point (or port), often used for smuggling.

    ROC Monitoring Post (1961-91): Extant surface features of underground post.

    The Square: Buildings in area include the Monreith Arms Hotel, disused corn mill (c.1800), and the Bank of Scotland (1858).

    West Galloway Wildlife Trail information board on lay-by N of the village.

    S. Barsalloch Point: See Monreith.

    N. Clone Point (4800 BC): Mesolithic campsites in hollow on raised beach. An excavation here produced over 1600 flint tools.

    S. North Barsalloch (4800 BC): Mesolithic campsites in hollow on raised beach.

    N. Philip and Mary: Believed to be named after a Spanish Galleon that was wrecked on this spit.

    Also see Chapel Finian, Drumtroddan, Elrig, Longcastle, Mochrum Village, Monreith, Ravenstone, Whauphill.

 

POWFOOT   85 : NY 1465  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 137)

    Solway village (c.1800) with range of fishermen’s’ cottages, an English development of red-brick houses and pleasure grounds.

    Beach: Sandy beach suitable for paddling. CP for sandy area is at W end of the local coastal road.

    Ornamental Lake: Pow Burn was dammed to form the lake, but it is now drained.

    E. Broom: ICI Nobel built a large explosives factory here in WW2 producing TNT until 1950s and cordite until 1992. Demolished 1992-3 but some buildings survive.

    E. Broom: Royal Ordnance Powfoot (SSSI) is a protected area of wetlands and lowland grasslands; with five of Britain’s amphibious species present.

    Also see Annan, Brydekirk, Carrutherstown, Clarencefield, Cummertrees, Eastriggs, Hoddom, Kinmount, Newbie, Ruthwell.

 

QUEEN’S WAY, THE   77/83 : NX 4265 - 6377  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 77-78, 101-102 & 125)

    Scenic road (A712) between New Galloway and Newton Stewart. Named for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 by Princess Anne.

    See Clatteringshaws, Galloway Kite Trail, New Galloway, Newton Stewart, Raiders Road, Talnotry.

 

RAIDERS ROAD, THE   77/85 : NX 5475 - 6571  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 77 & 103-104)

    A seasonal 10mi/16.1km forest drive (toll) in the GFP from the A712 at Clatteringshaws Dam to the A762 at Bennan near Mossdale.

    There are ruined settlements adjacent to the Raiders Road, notably Clachrum near Stroan Loch.

    Galloway Kite Trail: Route around Loch Ken (& Raiders Road April-Oct) with viewing/information areas. Signposted by a Red Kite symbol.

Otter Pool: A focal point on the Blackwater of Dee with CP, picnic site and toilets. Otter statue.
Stroan Loch: CP, picnic site and walks by the Stroan Viaduct (1861) that once carried the ‘Port Line’ (Dumfries-Stranraer railway line 1861-1965). Stroan Viaduct Memorial.

    S. The Auchencloy Monument: A granite obelisk and grave where four Covenanters were shot by Government troops in 1684.

Also see Balmaclellan, Clatteringshaws, Galloway Kite Trail, Glenlee, Laurieston, Loch Grannoch, Loch Ken, Loch Skerrow, Mossdale, New Galloway, Queen’s Way, Talnotry.

 

RAINTON and PLUNTON   83 : NX 5951  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 151)

    Cream o’ Galloway Visitor Centre: Farm dairy famous for its ice cream. Viewing gallery, nature trail and adventure playground.

    Plunton Castle (C16): Ruin of tower-house built for the Lennoxes, passing to the Murrays of Broughton late C17.

Also see Boreland of Borgue, Borgue, Cardoness, Carrick Shore, Gatehouse of Fleet, Girthon, Kirkandrews, Twynholm.

 

RAVENSTONE   83 : NX 4044  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 162)

    Ravenstone Castle (C16 & later): Complex structure with four main building periods. Roofless since 1948 but now being restored.

    Ravenstone Gatehouse (1996): Broad arch flanked by a stair tower and a 2-storey block. Parapet with working machicolation and a barmkin wall to the house is contemplated. 

    Swallow Theatre, Mosspark: Tiny theatre in a restored and converted barn.

    Water Pump (C19): Remains of a horse-powered water-pumping equipment nearby the castle.

    W. White Loch: Archaeological site of a crannog.

Also see Cruggleton, Drumtroddan, Garlieston, Glasserton, Isle of Whithorn, Kirkinner, Longcastle, Mochrum Village, Monreith, Port William, Sorbie, Whauphill, Whithorn.

 

RHINNS OF GALLOWAY or THE RHINS

The Rhins is the hammer-headed peninsula at the western extremity of D&G, a district that always had Irish connections.

See Ardwell, Cairngarroch, Clachanmore,  Corsewall Point, Crammag Head, Drummore, Ervie, Galdenoch, Kirkcolm, Kirkmadrine, Knock and Maize, Knockinaam, Larbrax, Leswalt, Lochans, Logan, Mull of Galloway, Portencalzie, Port Logan, Portpatrick, Sandhead, Stoneykirk, Stranraer, Terally.

 

RHONEHOUSE and KELTON   83/84 : NX 7459  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 131)

    A hill village of C19-20 houses lying to the east of the River Dee and in the parish of Kelton, it was formerly known as Kelton Hill.

    Douglas Mausoleum (1821): Extraordinary Aegypto-Grecian building N of church, with pagoda roof, Doric portal and carved frieze.

    Kelton Mains: See Castle Douglas

    Kelton Old Churchyard (Mid Kelton): Rotating pedestrian entry gate; small fragments of ancient parish church, two Georgian burial enclosures and three WW1 war graves.

    Kelton Parish Church (1805-6 & later): Internal walls are lined with red tiles.

    Threave Bridge:  See Bridge of Dee

    Threave Gardens & Estate NTS: 64 acres of fine gardens including glasshouses and walled garden. Visitor centre.

    Threave House NTS (1872): Refurbished Scots baronial red sandstone villa in Threave Gardens, partly accessible to visitors.

    Threave Castle and Threave Wildfowl Refuge: See Castle Douglas

    S. Auchlane: Slight remains of Auchlane Castle and moat.

    SW. Billies Farmhouse (C19): Wide-eaved Italianate style, with a Gothic centrepiece.

    SW. Dildawn House (1813): Handsome 4-bay mansion. Central bays form 3-bay porch with Roman Doric-columns.

    SW. Kirkcormack (Mayfield): Remains of medieval Kirkcormack Church (St Cormac’s) stands on a motte surrounded by an enclosed small graveyard that includes table stones.

Also see Balmaghie, Bridge of Dee, Buittle, Castle Douglas, Clarebrand, Crossmichael, Gelston, Glenlochar, Haugh of Urr, Kirkcudbright, Old Bridge of Urr, Orchardton, Ringford, Tongland, Whinnieliggate.

 

RINGFORD and TARFF   83/84 : NX 6857  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 152)

    Ringford is a small hamlet with C19-C20 houses, now bypassed.

    Meiklewood (1815): Farmhouse with chimneys on the gables framing the piended roof. Meiklewood Loch is above feeder stream level..

    Railway (1864-1965): Traces of Kirkcudbright branch railway trackbed. Tarff Station was renamed Gatehouse between 1865-1871. Also see Tarff Valley below .

    Tarff: The humpback Old Bridge of Tarff (C18), High Bridge (1832) & Valleyfield Bridge are now all by-passed by the A75.

    Tarff Valley: Farmers’ cooperative on site of old railway station, of which the buildings (identical to Bridge of Dee) still exist.

    Tongland & Twynholm Free Church (1843-4): Tall harled box with gableted bellcote.

    N. Barstobrick Hill: Prominent Neilson’s Monument (1928) in memory of the inventor of the hot blast method of smelting iron.

    NNW. Kirkconnell (C18): Harled farmhouse. With C19 farm buildings behind. Further N are the waterfalls of Kirkconnell Linn.

Also see Boreland of Borgue, Bridge of Dee, Castle Douglas, Gelston, Glengap, Glenlochar, Kirkcudbright, Laurieston, Rhonehouse & Kelton, Tongland, Twynholm.

 

ROBIN RIGG   84 (unmarked)

    Site in the Solway Firth 5.6mi/9km off Balcary Point of Scotland's first offshore wind farm: 60 (two rigs of 30) 200mw turbines 122m/400ft high– completion expected mid-2009.

    Also see Balcary.

 

ROCKCLIFFE   84 : NX 8453  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 155)

    Attractive estuary village and small resort on Rough Firth; part of the attractive Colvend Coast.

    Jubilee Path & Muckle Lands NTS: Rough coastline and path from Rockcliffe to Kippford – a distance of about 1mi/1.6km.

    Mote of Mark NTS: On the Jubilee Path, a C5 fort, a motte or citadel of some importance within the Kingdom of Rheged.

    Rough Island NTS: Bird sanctuary (closed May-June), accessible by a shingle spit from the Jubilee Path at low tide.

    As well as the above sites, the NTS owns other areas of coastline in the district.

    S. Castlehill Point SSSI: Remains of late Stone Age Barcloy Fort, a fine viewpoint with indicator board. Spectacular cliffs towards Portling.

    S. Nelson’s Grave: Commemorates Joseph Nelson, drowned January 1791 on a voyage from Whitehaven.

    Also see Caulkerbush, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Hestan Island, Kippford, Sandyhills.

 

ROWANBURN   85 : NY 4077  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 91)

    Well kept village built to house miners in the coalfield. Statue of the executed Border Reiver Lang Sandy. The B6357 to Canonbie is a blaze of daffodils in spring.

    Canonbie coalfield (C18-1922): Mining remains from the Blinkbonny and Canonbie collieries lie to the N and W of Rowanburn.

    Canonbie Station (1862-1964): Traces of the station and the Border Union (later North British) Langholm branch railway. Closed to passengers 1964, freight 1967.

    S. Riddings Viaduct (1862): 9-span skew railway viaduct over Liddel Water and Border, closed 1967. Listed building twice as Scotland gives it a higher grading than England.

    Also see Broomholm, Canonbie, Evertown, Gilnockie, Harelaw, Langholm, Scots’ Dike.

 

RUSKO or RUSCO   83 : NX 5858  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 128)

    Situated in the glen of the Water of Fleet.

    Pulcree: Archaeological site of an earthwork castle, it occupies the N end of a tree and bracken covered sandy ridge overlooking the W bank of the River Fleet.

    Rusko (c.1800): Harled lairds house much extended in the C19-C20 when a small tower added. Some artefacts from Rusco Tower.

    Rusco Tower (c.1500 & later): Substantial rectangular tower-house also known as Rusco Castle. The C16 extension now a ruin, but tower restored 1975-9.

    N. Castramont (or Carstramon) Woods SWT & SSSI: Ancient oak woodland. Remains of charcoal burning platforms. Parliament Oak is an old meeting place.

    W. Ornockenoch Reservoir (1930): Built by Commander Cochrane of Rusco to drive a turbine for power to the house and saw mill.

    Also see Cardoness, Gatehouse of Fleet, Gatehouse Station, Girthon, Laghead Bridge, Mossyard.

 

RUTHWELL   85 : NY 1067  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 112 & 137)

    N of village is a site of a small Roman camp; E near Horseclose is a possible site of a Roman camp.

    Ruthwell Cross HS (C8): Most important Anglian cross in Scotland with international reputation. Stands 5.2m/17.1ft high in N asp of church.

    Ruthwell & Mount Kedar Church: Medieval church, altered at various dates to 1906. It contains the Ruthwell Cross.

    Ruthwell & Mount Kedar Graveyard: Two war graves (CWGC), headstones & monuments. Just outside, a hearse house (1875).

    Ruthwell Station: See Clarencefield.

    Ruthwell Village: First-ever commercial savings bank founded by Revd Henry Duncan 1810. Now a museum on savings banks history etc.

Also see Annan, Bankend, Caerlaverock, Carrutherstown, Clarencefield, Cummertrees, Dalton, Hoddom, Kinmount, Mouswald, Newbie, Powfoot.

 

ST ANN’S   78 : NY 0793  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 44)

    Formerly known as Johnstone, this small hamlet lies on Kinnel Water, which flows through the delightful Raehills Glen (NW).

    Boreland Tower (C16): The only remains are the central vaulted ground floor. Boreland was part of the Lands of Dumgree.

    Raehills Estate: Ornamental footbridges in the estate include an unusual three-way timber bridge below the house. Stables.

    Raehills House (1782 & 1829-34): Unusual house with Egyptian revival and battlemented details. A colonnade runs above the terrace.

    St Ann’s Bridge (1795 & 1817): Broad segmental arch over Kinnel Water with traffic lights. Below is a thickly wooded steep-sided gorge.

    Stiddrig Cairn: Cairn and long cairn. Additional archaeological sites in the area include cairns and a hut circle.

    N. Dumgree Church (c.1180): Remains of this medieval parish church (annexed C17 to Kirkpatrick-Juxta) stand within its burial enclosure. C18 gravestones and a table-tomb.

Also see Beattock, Courance, Johnstonebridge, Lochwood, Millhousebridge, Newton Wamphray, Parkgate, Shieldhill, Templand.

 

SANDHEAD   82 : NX 0949  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 142 & 159)

    Situated on Sandhead Bay, an inlet of Luce Bay and overlooks an c.8mi/12.9km stretch of golden sands, but only c.3mi/4.8km is open due to the MoD test range (NE).

    Balgreggan: Site of Balgreggan House, designed by William Adam, built in 1730 and demolished in 1966.

    Balgreggan Motte: A dominant motte that forms part of the cliff-terrace above the old raised beach.

    CoS (1962-3): Unusual wooden hall with stone porch and tapering bell tower.
    Sandhead Bay: CP and facilities.

    Stoneykirk Free Church (1844): A harled kirk, now disused. E is the manse (1844-6 & 1889).

Also see Ardwell, Cairngarroch, Clachanmore, Dunragit, Kirkmadrine, Lochans, Logan, Port Logan, Stoneykirk, Terally, West Freugh.

 

SANDYFORD   79 : NY 2093  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 46)

    N. Black Esk Reservoir.

    ESE. Hamlin Knowe: Archaeological site of an enclosure.

    W. Carthur Hill: See Boreland.

    Also see Boreland, Eskdalemuir, Moffat Hills, Sibbaldbie.

 

SANDYHILLS and BAREND   84 : NX 8955  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 156)

    Small resort with a fine sandy beach and impressive cliffs. Good walking on the Colvend Coast. Offshore salmon trapping poles.

    Electronic water quality sign at Sandyhills provides real-time forecast, covering the bathing season from June to mid September.

    Barend: Sizeable collection of A-framed holiday log houses. Developed from 1972.

    Needles Eye: An arch of rock on the beach below the Torrs.

    Southwick Coast SWT Reserve.

    Torr Hill: Viewpoint from cliffs towards the Lake District.

    N. Drumstinchall (1832): A 3-bay symmetrical laird’s house.

    N. Fairgirth House: Small limewashed laird’s house. Georgian style but dates from C16, it was developed from a monastic grange.

    Also see Caulkerbush, Colvend, Dalbeattie, Kippford, Rockcliffe, Southerness.

 

SANQUHAR and CRAWICK   71/78 : NS 7809  (Philip’s D&G Street Atlas 173)

    Market town, originally a burgh of barony, royal burgh from 1598. Known for traditional hand-knitting of distinctive black and white pattern. Riding of the Marches festival in August.

    Tourist Information, Tolbooth.

    Brocks Works: Former HQ of Brocks’ fireworks, taken over by Standard and closed in 1988, later a military pyrotechnics factory.

    Castle (C14-C15) & Crichton Peel: Baronial castle plundered for building stone, partly rebuilt and restored. The Keep is mainly complete.

    Council Offices (1814): On front wall is a bronze plaque to Robert Nivison, the first Baron Glendyne of Sanquhar.

    Covenanters Monument, in High Street near library.

    Crawick Water: Back Wood is an SSSI protected woodland. Also see Corsebank.

    Crawick Water Viaduct (1850): Railway viaduct with six arches. Brick parapets with iron railings.

    Crown (early C19): Has a fine Edwardian pub front.

    Evangelical Union Congregational Church (1844-5): Built as Free Church.

    Forsyth Upper Nithsdale Pool or FUN Pool (1998): Complex with swimming pools, learner pool and activities.

    Mercat Cross remains (1680): Built into the garden wall of St Ninian’s Manse.

    North UP Church (1849): Simple Gothic frontage somewhat spoilt by a 1954 addition. Now a hall. Memorial obelisk in front.

    Old Academy (1870s-90s): Two blocks in simple Tudor. Front is smart Jacobean Renaissance. Further 1900 block.

    Parish Church, St Bride’s (1822-4): Interesting interior includes medieval stone effigy of a priest and an effigy of St Nicholas (C15).

    Parish Churchyard: Grave slab in shape of two coffins commemorates Rachel Hair and child killed by Cromwellian soldiers (1657).

    Parish Churchyard extension: Contains 14 Commonwealth and 9 polish war graves, in care of CWGC.