iKnow Scotland
- Ayr
- North Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- A74M
- Castle Douglas
- Dumfries
- Gretna Green
- Kirkcudbright
- Newton Stewart
- Stranraer
A74M Accommodation
Langholm & the River Esk, Dumfries & Galloway
Langholm, Dumfries and GallowayScottish Clan Armstrong, Reivers, MacDiarmid, Thomas Telford, Buccleuch
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 in literature 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.
Bay Tree House B&b And S-c Studio - Kirkcudbright
Bed And Breakfast Accommodation In a Georgian Town House Located on Kirkcudbright's historic High Street
£30 to £32 Per person per night
Clan Armstrong Centre, Gilnockie Tower & The Clan Armstrong Trust Museum
Situated as it is close to the English Border, Langholm has some historic sights which hint at its Border Reivers past. Your first port of call should be the Clan Armstrong Centre and Gilnockie Tower in Langholm (weblink right). The Glinockie Tower (or Hollows Tower) is both ancient monument and listed building, and is the only remaining Armstrong tower from around 80 to 90 towers once scattered across Eskdale and Liddesdale. There's some debate whether this tower dates from a later period.
Via a guided tour, on a clear day, you can see England from the top of this tower. Not by chance is this tower situated on a good defensive position. During the Medieval period from around the 13th to mid-17th centuries the Border areas of Liddesdale, Redesdale and Tynedale particullary saw extreme violence and constant battles to defend property and lands. Murders, cattle and sheep raiding, crop destruction and more was rife. Many took to 'reiving', essentially snatching goods, cattle and so forth out of need and to survive.
Allegiance was to Clans (networked families) not to England or indeed Scotland. Violent feuds often developed between families (both English and Scottish living in the Border areas), and both rich and poor participated. The Armstrong Centre and a trip up Gilnockie Tower is a good place to find out more about this violent period in Scottish history specific to the Borders. The Armstrongs were just one of many Clans in the period. Other Clans include the Scotts, Kerrs, Turnbulls and Douglas's. Within the Tower there are a number of rare books, a life-size model of a Reiver called Willie 'Redcloak' Bell who rescued 'Kinmont' Willie Armstrong in 1596 from Carlisle Castle.
The Hawick Reivers Festival takes place at the end of March annually and revolves around the new Hawick Family History Centre. Find out more about the Border Reivers past and the Armstrong Clan at the Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, Castle Holm, Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway, DG13 0ND. Scotland. Tel. 01387 381610. If you think you might be related to one of the Border Clans this museum is certainly where to head, as the museum has a huge archive on the subject.
The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm
The Buccleuch arts and entertainment centre in Langholm has seen some extensive refurbishment recently to good effect. A mix of drama, music (including classical and modern), comedy and more. A caf and conference/training facilities are also on-site. Checkout the Buccleuch Centre weblink right for complete event listings.
The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland. Tel Ticket Hotline. 013873 81196.
Langholm Golf Club
Langholm has its own golf club (website right). The golf course is a nine hole course, beautifully set with fine views of the surround gentle rolling Border hills. A clubhouse is on-site and you can take a tour of each hole via the Langholm golf club website right.
Langholm Golf Club, Whitaside, Langholm, Dumfriesshire, DG13 0JR. Scotland. Tel. 0772 4875151 or 013873 81408.
Langholm Fishing & Walking in Eskdale & Liddesdale
Both fishing and walking are popular pursuits in this area of South Scotland. Langholm hosts an annual walking festival at the beginning of June (see the Langholm Walks and Walking Festival website right for details). A number of guided walks in the Langholm area are available through the summer months, including a Moorland walk commencing at the MacDiarmid Memorial which takes in the stunning Tarras Valley and the SSSI area.
Thanks to the Langhom Walks Group there are now 14 waymarked walks in the Langholm area, with more forthcoming. Along with the annual Langholm Walking Festival, the area is fast becoming a walker's paradise.
The River Esk running right through Langholm is an abundant salmon fishing haunt, with peak salmon fishing season from 1st February to 31st October alongside the Sea Trout season from 1st May to 15th October. Fly fishing on the River Esk is on the menu all year round. Ticket information for fishing in the Langholm area (owned largely by Buccleuch Sprotings Limited) is available via the Langholm Tourist Information weblink right. Season, weekly and day fishing tickets are all available.
See also the Esk & Liddle Fisheries weblink right for details on the seatrout and salmon fishing seasons in the area, or contact Buccleuch Sportings Ltd (Fisheries Office), Ewesbank, Langholm. Tel. 013873 81951, open Mondays to Fridays. You can book all tickets via this number, including private beat bookings and day tickets.
Langholm Area - Places of Interest
This being Border Reivers territory, a number of historic sites in the Langholm area serve as reminders of these turbulent times. Many sites are linked to the Armstrong Clan including Langholm Castle which was built by the Armstrongs. Other Armstrong seat remains include Mangerton Castle and there's an Armstrong memorial wall at Ettleton old Kirkyard.
Just to the north of Langholm Hermitage Caste (see Historic Scotland weblink right) is well worth a visit on the Armstrong trail. An Armstrong Chief is alleged to have been murdered here. The Clan Armstrong Museum on Lodge Walk has leaflets and trail guides for all these Armstrong historic sites.
Bay Tree House B&b And S-c Studio - Kirkcudbright
Bed And Breakfast Accommodation In a Georgian Town House Located on Kirkcudbright's historic High Street
£30 to £32 Per person per night
Click Search
