A74M Accommodation

Ukrainian POW Chapel, Lockerbie.

Birthplace of Thomas Carlyle, Ecclefechan just off the A74M

Thomas Carlyle Statue, Ecclefechan, Dumfries & Galloway

River Esk, Langholm Views, Dumfries & Galloway

A74 Motorway Stops, Lockerbie, Moffat, Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway

Lining the A74M motorway upto Glasgow from the south, a selection of picturesque Dumfries & Galloway towns and villages make perfect stopovers, or indeed longer stay bases for exploring the eastern area of Annandale and Eskdale.

Moffat sits conveniently close to the Southern Upland Way, and is famed for its historic spa town history. Lockerbie is an excellent base for Dumfries & Galloway Golf, with nearby Ecclefechan home to the birthplace house of Thomas Carlyle. Langholm, just inside the Dumfries & Galloway border, but with close links to the Scottish Borders, is a stunning spot and birthplace to acclaimed 20th century Scottish poet Hugh MacDiarmid.

Lockerbie Tourist Guide

Lockerbie makes a good base for pushing into both Dumfries & Galloway and the Scottish Borders. Lockerbie Ice Rink offers a choice of entertainment from renowned curling events to public ice skating sessions.

Lockerbie's 18 hole parkland golf course was founded in 1890 and offers splendid views of the Annandale Hills and across to Dumfries to the West and the Lake District to the South.

Just 1.6 miles south west of Lockerbie town Centre, the Eskrigg Nature Reserve run by Lockerbie Wildlife Trust is well worth a visit. (see Lockerbie Wildlife Trust website right for location details). The Eskrigg Reserve sits directly alongside the Dryfesdale Lodge Visitors' Centre, and you can obtain walking mpas and information on woodland walks in the reserve from here. Just to the South of Lockerbie towards Dalton sits the Ukrainian POW Chapel - an important site in the post war history of the area which like many areas across the UK was host to a number of Ukrainian refugees.

Just to the West of Lockerbie the Dryfesdale Lodge Visitors' centre is a fitting memorial to all those who lost their lives in the Lockerbie bombing. The peaceful site is Dryfesdale Cemetary, and within the Lockerbie Memorial Garden of Remembrance, a semicircular memorial wall here lists the names of all those who died in the tragedy alongside memorial stones for all the victims. Books of rememberance are held at both Lockerbie public library and Tundergarth Church.

Ecclefechan, Birthplace of Thomas Carlyle

In the small village of Ecclefechan just 5.5miles SE of Lockerbie sits the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle. He also went to school and worked as a teacher at nearby Annan Academy. Unlike many birthplace homes of famous notables, this one hasn't been russled up and heavily embellished and renovated. Carlyle's birthplace has been open since 1883 and is now run by the National Trust for Scotland (website right).

Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace, Ecclefechan, Dumfries & Galloway, DG11 3DG. Tel. DG11 3DG.

Moffat, Historic Spa Town

Situated just 3 minutes off the M74 motorway which pushes upto Glasgow, Moffat is famed for its 19th century Victorian spa town hey day. Today it's a popular walking base, offering a choice of sublime walks from leisurely stolls up Gallow Hill to challenging long hauls along the Southern Uplands Way which runs through the town. Moffat is a popular stopping off point if you're pushing along the Southern Uplands Way either for the whole 212 mile stretch, or a smaller chunk

Particularly popular walking spots in the Moffat Hills area include the sublime Devil's Beeftub with viewpoint and 10 miles north east of Moffat at the Grey Mare's Tail Nature Reserve which has the fifth highest waterfall in the UK. Moffat sits on the edge of an area in South Scotland often referred to as the 'Little Highlands' - the Lowther hills stretch upto Wanlockhead, the highest village in Scotland!

Langholm Tourism & Hugh MacDiamid

Langholm (The Muckle Toon) has much going on, and sits in an idyllic spot on the eastern borders of Dumfries and Galloway, with easy access into the Scottish Borders. The town centre is compact and attractive with a number of country pubs and character hotels and B&Bs. Langholm boomed as a textile mill town during the 18th century - it's a town made prettier by the fact it's surrounded by water. The Ewes, Wauchop and Esk all collide here, with the River Esk being particularly popular for salmon fishing.

A number of visitor attractions are within this once Border Reivers hotspot. Find out more about the Reivers at the Armstrong Clan centre and take a tour up Gilnockie Tower. Visit the Hugh MacDiarmid memorial - this famous Scottish poet is credited as initiating the Scottish Renaissance between the Wars. MacDiarmid is also buried here at Langholm. The Buccleuch Centre in Langholm offesr a choice selection of music and the arts, plus there are numerous walking trails through woodlands and valleys within the Buccleuch estate as well as cycling trails - the Langhom Cycling Group has produced a useful leaflet on cycling trails in the area.

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A74M Accommodation

A74 Motorway Stops, Lockerbie, Moffat, Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway

Lockerbie Tourist Guide

Ecclefechan, Birthplace of Thomas Carlyle

Moffat, Historic Spa Town

Langholm Tourism & Hugh MacDiamid

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