Visitors Through the Ages

Located amongst idyllic countryside on a natural transit route between England and central Scotland, Moffat has always attracted travellers. An ancient bow left behind in a peat bog in the Moffat hills some 6000 years ago suggests that even pre-historic man came this way!

The Romans passed through, the Knights Templar built both fort and chapel here in medieval times and the infamous Reivers came this way to hide their stolen cattle in the ‘Devils Beef Tub’ just north of the town.

Bloody Times

Legend has it that William Wallace arrived here a lone traveller and left with six men from Corehead, the first recruits for his army of rebellion. And continuing in warlike mood we should mention John Graham of Claverhouse, known as ‘Bonnie Dundee’ to his friends…but as ‘Bloody Clavers’ to his enemies.

Claverhouse (illustrated above) made Moffat his base whilst he hunted down Covenanters during ‘the killing times’, a period of religious persecution that followed Charles I self-proclamation as Head of the Church in 1635.

John Graham of Claverhouse made Moffat his home whilst he hunted the Covenanters
Robert Burns, a frequent guest in Moffat

Delightful Times

On a lighter note, Robert Burns was a frequent guest of Moffat folk, and in 1817 Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia stayed here during his grand tour. In fact he was so delighted with the facilities offered to him that he paid double his account.

When you ever visit, we are confident you will be equally impressed!

[ An Architectural Legacy ]

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