Scotland > 1882-1915 - Slater's Royal National Commercial Directory of Scotland > 1886 - Slater's (late Pigot and Co's) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland

DIRECTORY
DUMFRIES-SHIRE
LANGHOLM,
AND THE PARISHES OF CANONBIE, ESKDALEMTJIR, EWES, HALF-MORTON, WESTERKTRK, AND NEIGHBOURHOODS.
LANGHOLM is a thriving manufao.ttiring town and burgh of
barony, in the parish of its name ; 73 miles s. from Edinburgh, 80
s.w. from Glasgow, 30 E. by n. from Dumfries, the like distance s.e.
from Moffat, 21 n. from Carlisle, 18 n.n.e. from Annan, and 12 n.
from Longtown, in Cumberland, delightfully situated on both sides
of tho Esk, over which there is a suspension bridge, and' also a stone
bridge of three arches, from which may he seen the confluence of the
Ewse and the Wauchopo with the Est. This parish and the adjoining
oues of Canonbie, Ewes, Westerlrirk, and Eskdalcmuir are known as
the "live kirks of Eskdale." The town of Langholm owes its origin to
the border house or tower, which was formerly the property of the all-
powerful Armstrongs, but is now only seen in a state of ruin. Within
the memory of man no less than twelve such towers existed, and among
them Wauchop Castle, the earliest seat of the Lindsay family, was in
the immodiate neighbourhood. The tower of Gilnoclde still stands about
four miles below Langholm, on the right bank of the Esk. It was some
little time ago renovated by the late Duke of Buecleuch, and is now open
for the inspection of visitors. The author of the "Picture of Scotland"
says: "Eskdale derives more than common charm from the memory of
Johnnie Armstrong, whose name was associated with many of its locali-
ties." It was on the Branxholm Holm that, when going to met-!, King
James V., he and his "gallant companie" of thirty-six men ran their
horsesand " brak their spears." Johnnie terminated his mortal career at
Carlenrig, a place not far distant from Moss Paul, on the road between
Langholm and Hawick ; the story of the judicial execution of this border
chief and his companions, by James V., is well known. The graves of
the whole of the marauding band are to be seen in a deserted church-
yard at Carlenrig. This district is also associated with the covenanters,
especially witli the memory of Alexander Peden, one of the most famous
of the Scottish worthies; a "knowe," or small hill, commanding a
delightful view of the valley, is still named " Peden's View," and at its
foot rises " Peden's Well," where, in answer to his prayer, a mist is said
to have "shrouded him from the dragoons who were seeking his life."
Langholm is also the birthplace of Julius Mciklc, translator of " Camoe
Lucicd," and author of the song " There's nae luck about the house."
Burnfoot, on the banks of the Esk, is three miles from Langholm,
and was the birthplace of the " four knights of Eskdale," Admiral Sir
Pulteney Malcolm, General Sir John Malcolm, Sir James Malcolm, and
Sir Charles Malcolm, who in various ways distinguished themselves in
different parts of the world. In the neighbourhood of Langholm there
is a copious mineral well called Blough Well, which is exceedingly
efficacious in the cure of cutaneous diseases. It is less known than it
should be, owing to the limited accommodation which as yet exists in
its immediate neighbourhood. In the present day Langholm does not
seem to partake of any of the peculiarities which distinguished the
country in the " riding times," or in the ages of superstition, being
now one of the most thriving towns of its size in Scotland. Within
the last few years the trade of the town has increased in a very
remarkable manner ; the making of plaida and blankets for the
neighbouring shepherds has developed itself into the manufacture
of tweeds and other fabrics, which find their way into all parts of
the kingdom, and large quantities are exported; they bear a
character second to none in the woollen market. Instead of the
one small mill which employed a few hands not many years ago,
not less than six manufacturers now give constant employment
to the inhabitants. Now that there is railway communication, supplied
by the North British Railway Company, affording an outlet to all parts
of the country, there is little doubt that Langholm, with its inexhaustible
water power, will become one of the most important manufacturing
towns in the south of Scotland. It is built in the bosom of a lovely
woodland scene, along the Edinburgh and Carlisle road, and is composed
generally of good stone houses, roofed with blue slate. Two bridges —
a handsome suspension and a stone one — connect the ancient town with
a more modern suburb on the opposite side o'f the river, called New
Langholm or New Town. Ruskin, in his book on modern painters,
remarks : " There are perhaps no scenes in our own islandmore interest-
ing than the wooded dingles which traverse them, the red rooks glowing
out on cither side and shelving down into the pools of their deep brown
rivers, as at Langholm and Jedburgh ; the steep oak copses climbing the
banks, the paler plumes of birch shaking themselves free into the light
of the sky above, and the fen arches of the monastery where the fields
in the glen are the greenest, or the stones of the border tower whore its
cliffs are steepest, rendering both field and cliff a thousand fold more
dear to the heart and sight." In the market place of the old town stands
the town hall, ornamented with a neat spire. Besides the woollen mills
already alluded to, the town contains a number of respectable shops, a
branch each of the National Bank of Scotland, Limited, and the British
Linen Company, two distilleries, a brewery, dyehouse, tannery, and
some excellent inns. There is likewise an elegant and commodious
temperance hotel, in which is included the army and drill room of the
Eskdale Rifle Volunteeis (7th Dumfries -shire). There are also two
newspapers published in the town, viz. the Border Standard and tho
Eskdale and Lirtdcsdalc Advertiser. A new police station and lock-up
has been erected in Buecleuch square, New Town. The government of
the town is vested in a baron bailie, appointed by the Duke of Buecleuch,
who is superior, and a board of Commissioners, elected by tho in-
habitants. Sheriff's small debt courts and justice of peace courts are
held at stated periods. Tho parish church, a modern structure, is
allowed to be one of the most elegant and substantial in the south of
Scotland ; the other places of worship are a Free church, two United
Presbyterian churches, and one for the Morrisoniau body, and a very
handsome Mission Hall, erected a few years ago, which is one of tho
finest of its kind in Scotland. There is a Board school here, being the
only school in the town, the Free Church school having been done away
with some years ago. There is a very extensive and richly endowed
library, which derives considerable advantage from a munificent bequest
of the late Thomas Telford, Esq. the celebrated engineer, who was a
native of the district. A very neat and substantial stone building has
been erected for the use of the library, at a cost of about £2,600 ; £1,000
of this sum being a bequest of tho late Alexander Reid, Esq., tho
remainder haviug been_rai^£d by subscriptions. The inhabitants have
brought into the town at a considerable expense tho copious spring
known as " Whita Well," whereby every family in the place is now
amply supplied with the purest water. A monument to Sir John
Malcolm stands on the hill behind the old town, erected at a cost of
£1,800, and there is another in the market place, in memory of his
brother, Sir Pulteney Malcolm. The market day is Wednesday; fairs
are held on the 16th April (for seeds), the last Tuesday in May (old
style), 26th July (for lambs and wool), 18th September (for sheep), and
5th November (for cattle); there are also two luring days — one in May
and the other in November. There has been established a monthly sale
of cattle, sheep, &o., and the Eskdale and Liddesdale Agricultural
Society hold their show of stock generally in October, at which premiums
are awarded. The entire parish of Langholm embraces an area of
16,971 statute acres, and in 1881 contained a population of 4,612 ; of
this number the town had 4,280.
Canonbie (or Canonby), a parish halfway between Longtown and
Langholm, and on the southern border of the comity, is separated on
the south-east from England by the river Liddal, whose romantic banks
present some pleasing scenery, and on the south west by tho " Scotch
Dyke." The river Esk intersects tho parish, diving it into two equal
parts. The parish is about nine miles long and six broad. The high
road from Edinburgh to London runs through it. The kirk is a very
large stone building, and will accommodate 1,400 persons. There is
also a very handsome Free church. There are inexhaustible mines of
coal and quarries of lime of excellent quality in the parish, but only a
small part of them are wrought. The scenery along the Esk is con-
sidered to be the finest in the south of Scotland. The Hollows is a
hamlet situated about a mile from Gilnockie Station, and near to
which, on the north, is Gilnockie Tower. The Dukeof Buecleuch is solo
proprietor of the parish. The Langholm Railway,' branching from tho
Border Union Lhie (North British), at Biddings Junction, intersects
the parish. There are two stations— Canonbie and Gilnockie — tho
former being more convenient to the Cross Keys Hotel and the hamlets
of Bowholm, Forgebraehead, and Glenzier, while the latter (Gil-
nockie) is nearest to Claygate and Hollows. This parish, which
embraces an area of 24,142 acres, in 1881 contained a population of
2,723.
Eskdalehuir is a largo and mountainous pastoral parish of 43,282
acres, on the north-eastern border of the county, and in the district of
Eskdale. The manse, which is about the centre of the parish, is thirteen
miles from Langholm. The river Esk has its rise in this parish, A
very small portion of Eskdalemuir is under cultivation; the principal
land proprietor is the Duke of Buecleuch. Population in 1881, 543.
The parish of Ewes, situated on the eastern extremity of the county,
is remarkable for its beautiful ranges of green hills, covered with verdure
to their summits, and the clearness of the river, which affords excellent
trouting. Numerous plantations on the properties of the Duke of
Buecleuch add additional beauty to the lovely appearance of the sweet
dale of Ewes. William Scott Elliot, Esq. has recently built a magni-
ficent mansion here, and when finished it will be one of tho finest
residences in the south of Scotland. The acreage of the parish is
24,941, and in 1881 it had a population of 337.
Westerkirk parish, containing about 26,992 acres is also situated
near the eastern boundary of the county, about 6 miles from Langholm.
Nearly the whole of this portion of tho district is devoted to pasturage
for sheep and black cattle; but there are several elegant villas, which
in some degree relieve its otherwise monotonous appearance. The
church stands on the left bank of the river Esk. The Duke of Buecleuch,
Sir Frederick J. W. Johnstone, and Colonel Malcolm are the principal
landowners. Population in 1881, 478.
Half-Morton is a parish in the district of Eskdale, situated 9 miles
s.w. of Langholm, and lying between Canonbie and Kirkpatrick-
Fleming. The places of worship are comprised in Established and
Free churches and an United Presbyterian church ; there is also a
Board school in the parish, which has an area of 6,081 acres, and in
1881 contained a population of 497.
POST OFFICE, HIGH STKEET, LANGHOLM,
ROBERT SCOTT, Post Master.
Letters arrive from all parts of Scotland, England, Ireland and Foreign at 6 48 a.m. ; from England, Ireland and South of Scotland at 4 40
p.m. ; from England, Glasgow and Scotland generally at 5 SO p.m.
Letters are despatched to Edinburgh and East coast of Scotland and England at 8 5 a.m.; to Carlisle, Glasgow, Border towns, Ac. at 9 50
a.m.; to Edinburgh and North of Scotland and North of Ireland at 110 noon; to all parts of England, Scotland, Ireland and Foreign at
5 SO p.m. s
On Sundays letters arrive from all parts at 8 40 a.m., and are despatched at 4 10 p.m. |S° Money Order and Telegraph Office and Savings
Bank.
POST OFFICE, Canonbie, John Elliott, Post Master. — Letters arrive from all parts at 6 5 a.m. and G 45 p.m., and are despatched at 6 a.m.
and 5 40 p.m. On Sundays letters arrive from all parts at 7 60 a.m., and are despatched thereto at 5 20 p.m. fl^s" Money Order and Telegraph
Office and Savings Bank.
Post Office, Eskdalemuir, "William Ewart, Post Master. — Letters arrive (from Langholm) at S 30 p.m., and are despatched thereto at 5 30
a.m. IS* The nearest Money Order Office is at Langholm, 14 miles distant.
*** "Where the initials N, L occur they signify New Langholm,
I
451