Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Hermitage Castle, Borders, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on the harsh, imposing and austere edifice known as Hermitage Castle which is located in an isolated part of Liddesdale in the Scottish Borders. This was built by one Sir Hugh de Dacre around 1360 using the foundations of a previous, probably wooden, castle.  Construction was finally completed in the early 15th century by William, 1st Earl of Douglas.

Mary Queen of Scots visited in October 1566.

For some 400 years the castle played a dominant role in controlling the Scottish Middle March, one of the border buffer zones between Scotland and England.

The castle went out of use in the early 1600s upon the union of the crowns of England and Scotland.

Here is a landscape view showing the rectangular earthwork on which the castle is built.

Landscape View, Hermitage Castle, Scottish Borders

 The Douglas Tower (left) and  Well Tower (right) . Latter housed a deep well for use in times of siege.

Hermitage Castle, Borders, Scotland

Side elevation.

Hermitage Castle, Borders, Scotland

 Ruined interior

Ruined Interior, Hermitage Castle, Scottish Borders

This is a stunning site which I invariably include in my Borders tours.

Clan Armstrong Trust Museum, Langholm, Scottish Borders

This evening, I am focusing on Langholm in the Scottish Borders.

This town (population of about 2500) has an interesting history most prominent aspect of which is involvement with the Border Reivers era and Clan Armstrong in particular. Today the town is home to the Clan Armstrong Museum and Centre (see image above). A summary of history and related facts:

• The name translates as ‘Long Meadow’ but is known locally as ‘Muckle Toon’
• Located in the county of Dumfries and Galloway.
• During the industrial era was home to a vibrant textile industry and many mills. Today, the nationwide retail chain of Edinburgh Woollen Mills has its Head Office in the town.
• Langholm has two famous sons: the poet, Hugh MacDiarmid and engineer, Thomas Telford.
• The River Esk flows through through the town centre.
• In the centre of Langholm is the remains of a 16th century Tower House (castle) closely associated with the Armstrongs. See image below.

I invariably visit Langholm in context of Border Reiver or Clan Armstrong  themed tours. There are many interesting sites nearby including Hermitage Castle

Langholm Castle, Langholm, Scottish Borders

Town Centre, Dumfries, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Dumfries, the largest town in South-West Scotland which has a long history. The name may derive from a combination of Dun (fort) and praes (thicket) which could indicate settlement dating back to the Iron-Age (about 2000 years ago). A summary of the last 1000 years is provided below.

• Established as a small village in AD1100 in the then separate Kingdom of Galloway. Subsequently grew in size and importance to become the Royal Burgh of Dumfries within 100 years.
• Castle founded in 1185 and replaced by a stone castle in the 1260s.By the 13th century three more castles had been built.
• In February 1306 Robert the Bruce stabbed John Comyn to death in Greyfrairs Church, an act which facilitated Bruce’s control of the Scottish Crown.
• Seven Trade Guilds established  by the late 1500s.
• From earliest times the town was empowered to hold two weekly markets.
• In the 17th century, Dumfries was embroiled in the religious strife linked to covenanting
• In the 18th century  (Dec 1745) the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied Dumfries and demanded a fine of two thousand pounds.
• Dumfries prospered on the back of a diversity of trades and industries including tanning, leatherworking, shoe-making, clog making, saddlery, brewing, distilling and milling. Hatmaking  prospered briefly but failed by the 1860s. Hosiery and tweed manufacture were also important in the 19th century.
• During the early part of the 20th century a motor car industry flourished. There was the Arrol-Johnson car and then the Galloway car.
• Perhaps the town’s best claim to fame is via the Robert Burns connection. The poet visited Dumfries in 1787  to purchase a farm and moved into a new house there in 1789. Burns died at Dumfries in 1796 age 37 years. Below is an image of the Globe Inn where Burns was a regular customer. 

Globe Inn, Dunfries, Scotland

I usually include a visit to Dumfries in my tours of the Scottish Borders.