Annan, Dumfries and Galloway



Annan (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Anainn) is a Scottish royal burgh in Dumfriesshire. Its public buildings include Annan Academy, of which the writer Thomas Carlyle was a pupil, and a Georgian building now known as "Bridge House". The Town Hall was built in Victorian style in 1878, using the local sandstone. Annan also features a Historic Resources Centre. In Port Street, some of the windows remain blocked up to avoid paying the window tax.

Each year in July, Annan celebrates the Royal Charter and the boundaries of the Royal Burgh are confirmed when a mounted cavalcade undertakes the Riding of the Marches. Entertainment includes a procession, sports, field displays and massed pipe bands.

Geography and administration
Annan stands on the River Annan nearly 2 miles from its mouth, 15 miles from Dumfries, in the region of Dumfries and Galloway on the Solway Firth in the south of Scotland. Eastriggs is about 3 miles to the east and Gretna is about 8 miles to the east.

Annan Bridge, a stone bridge of three arches, built between 1824 and 1827, carries road traffic over the River Annan. It was designed by Robert Stevenson and built by John Lowry. There is also a railway bridge and a nearby pedestrian bridge over the River Annan, and the town is served by Annan railway station. The train turntable was designed and developed in Annan, it can be seen today in the York Railway Museum.

History
Roman remains exist in the neighbourhood.

Annan Castle formed the original home of the 'de Brus' family, later known as the "Bruces", lords of Annandale, which most famously produced Robert the Bruce. It was at Annan in December 1332 that Bruce supporters overwhelmed Balliol's forces to bring about the end of the first invasion of Scotland in the Second War of Scottish Independence.

The Balliols and the Douglases were also more or less closely associated with Annan.

During the period of the Border lawlessness the inhabitants suffered repeatedly at the hands of moss-troopers and through the feuds of rival families, in addition to the losses caused by the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Bonnie Prince Charlie, during his retreat from Derby, stayed in the High Street at the inn where L'Auberge now stands.

Annan served as a maritime town whose shipbuilding yards built many clippers and other boats. A cairn on the jetty commemorates Robert Burns, who worked as an exciseman here in the 1790s. Although the port is now mainly dry, a few stranded boats remain.

Annan Academy has a history that goes back to the 17th century; its current buildings include modern 1960s built buildings and older buildings on St John's Road.

Notable people

 * Thomas Carlyle
 * Andy Aitken – professional footballer best known for his long service with Queen of the South F.C.
 * Edward Irving – a native of the town; there is a statue of him in the grounds of Annan Old Parish Church. The statue was relocated from outside the town hall in the 1960s.
 * Ashley Jensen – actress, best known for her roles in Extras and Ugly Betty.
 * Robert Murray M'Cheyne – preacher, ordained by the Annan Presbytery.
 * David Payne (1843–1894) – landscape artist.
 * Jim Wallace, MSP for Orkney, born in Annan.
 * Jack Wright (greyhound trainer) – coursing enthusiast, who lived at Watchhall, father of Hardy Wright.
 * Hardy Wright – greyhound trainer who lived initially at Watchhall, responsible for bringing the Barbican Cup (coursing) to Scotland for the first time.
 * Cameron Bell – footballer for Kilmarnock and Scotland
 * George Johnston – Leader of the New South Wales rum rebellion, briefly Lieutenant-Governor there

Distillery
There are plans to re-open the distillery in Annan which last produced a Lowland Malt 90 years ago although this is still in early stages.

Churches
Annan is served by several churches of different denominations, including: There is also a local interchurch group, known as Annandale Churches Together.
 * Annan Old Parish Church, High Street (Church of Scotland)
 * St. Andrew's Parish Church, Bank Street (Church of Scotland)
 * Annan URC, Station Road (United Reformed Church)
 * St. John's Church, St. John's Road (Scottish Episcopal Church)
 * St. Columba's Church, 40 Scotts Street (Catholic Church)

Outdoor activity
Annandale Way is a 53-mile-long walking route that was opened in September 2009. The route runs through Annandale, from the source of the River Annan to the sea; it passes through the town of Annan and offers interesting walking both up river and down from the town.

Landmarks
Just outside the town, the Chapelcross nuclear power station has now shut down and is being decommissioned. The four cooling towers were demolished in 2007.

Nearby, John Maxwell, 4th Lord Herries, built Hoddom Castle (circa 1552 – 1565).

To the east of the town lies the settlement of Watchill and the similarly named Watchhall.

Part of the A75, between Annan and Dumfries, is reported to be haunted.