Moffat

A burgh in Annandale, created in 1643, Moffat is situated 19 miles north east of Dumfries on the River Annan, just off the M74, and is at the beginning of the most picturesque cross-country route to Edinburgh. The town contains a great variety of very attractive buildings, including colour-washed cottages, the elegant town hall, which used to be the baths and pump room, and the narrowest hotel in UK (The Star) at 20ft wide, which is one of many hotels in Moffat which grew up to cater for visitors, including Robert Burns, to its erstwhile spas.

From the late 1650s Moffat developed as a spa town associated with the Moffat Well and the Hartfell Spa, and still retains a certain leisurely feeling. It ceased in 1921 after a devastating fire at the Hydropathic Hotel. Nevertheless, Moffat still thrives as a tourist centre and the visitor is well catered for in the wide choice of restaurants and hotels. The town is a sheep farming centre and the statue of the ram above the Colvin Fountain (1875) denotes the importance of wool to the local economy. There are several mill shops in the area, and the high point of each year is the Installation of the Moffat Shepherd and Lass followed by the Shepherds’ Ball. Private tuition for shepherding is available at Tweedhope Sheepdogs There is also quite a famous toffee shop.

There are plenty of peaceful walks for all levels of athleticism, from the Southern Uplands Way for dedicated walkers to guided hill walks. North-east up Moffat Water on the A708 is Scotland’s highest waterfall, Grey Mares Tail, where there is a walk for experienced hill walkers, and the famous Tibbie Shiels Inn at the foot of St Mary’s Loch. North-west is the Devils Beef Tub, an enormous natural depression in wild hills where border thieves (‘reivers’) used to hide their stolen cattle.

Fishing is available at the Moffat Fishery and there is an 18-hole golf course.