An Architectural Legacy - Impressive Buildings
The prosperity that came with Spa status has blessed Moffat with a rich built environment.
A walk along the High Street will introduce you to the Annandale Arms Hotel and the Balmoral Hotel, both of which were major coaching inns at one time, the Moffat House Hotel (illustrated above) built for the Earl of Hopetoun in 1762 and designed by the famous Edinburgh architect John Adam. The Town Hall, built in 1827, formerly the ‘Bath’s Hall’ which provided hot and cold mineral baths for visitors to ‘take the waters’.
You will see the recently restored Colvin Fountain, the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, Arden House, Dickson House and several others which have strong connections with the towns’ spa and coaching history.
A short stroll from the broad main street will find you amongst elegant houses in Moffat.
These were originally built as guesthouses or as private residences for well-to-do local merchants.
Jumping back in time we have the Black Bull Hotel, built in 1568, for a while the headquarters of ‘Bloody Clavers’ and his dragoons.
In more peaceful times it was a favourite haunt of Robert Burns.
A short walk away you can see two paved circles with a cross of stone set within, these being markers for the market place, a charter for which was granted in 1662.
Now the town has been designated an Outstanding Conservation Area with Article 4 status and boasts an impressive selection of listed buildings.