Around Kirkton

A gentle low-level walk to introduce the walker to the history and archaeology of Kirkton village and its surrounding area.

Mainly quiet country tarmac roads, a short stretch on a C class road and an uneven grassy path across a field. Can be muddy after rain. Kissing gates provide access. 2.5 miles/4km

DG1 1ST Grid Ref NX975815 Allow 1.5 hours

1

This walk starts in the centre of Kirkton. The layout of the village is that of a typical medieval village. The original cottages would all have been single storey and thatched. Many were altered and improved during the 19th century after the tax on Welsh slate was abolished. The use of slate which is lighter than thatch allowed an additional storey to be added.

2 From the centre of the village, walk for a few yards to the church which was built between 1822 and 1823 to replace a much older, simpler church dedicated to St Quintin. The church was designed by Walter Newall. While building work was being carried out, the buried body of a warrior with a spear was found but it disintegrated when exposed to the air. Once in the churchyard, look for Mary Lindsay's grave with its very interesting inscription. This is located on the south side of the graveyard between the church and the village.

3

Leaving the Church, head back towards the Village Hall. On the opposite side of the road are Weighbridge Cottages. Outside them is the plate of the old weighbridge which dates to 1867. You can clearly see the wear caused by metal rimmed cartwheels. Turn left at the Weighbridge. On the small green, beside the bench, is the old water pump. At one time this was the only source of water in the village. One of the two storey houses

which overlooks this has a fire insurance badge on the wall above the door.

4 As you walk east along Barrasgate, you pass houses which were built by the County Council in the 1960s to replace older, traditional cottages. On your right, just before you reach the concrete bridge over the Barrasburn, was the site of Kirkton School. This was closed in the 1890s and the stone used to build the village hall. To your left was the site of the village smithy. Continue along the road which turns sharp left at Shawend and passes Crawfordhall. As it nears its end at a T- junction, the road is called 'The Nick'. It is in a deep cutting and this may be where the name comes from, though some think it is a reference to devilish activities in the area. When you reach the junction with Quarry Road, stop and look over the road and to your right. This area was once a hive of activity. The old Ballochmyle Brick Works and Paterson's Quarry once employed many of the men in the parish.

5 Now, turn left along Quarry Road. After a few metres you will pass St Blane's Cemetery. This is named after the ancient St Blane's Chapel which was sited in what is now the quarry. Take the next road to the left and walk west. Looking south, on a clear day, there are wonderful views to Criffel and the mountains of Cumbria. After a few minutes, you will pass the disused Free Church on your left. It replaced a Cameronian Chapel at Quarrelwood and was used as a church from 1845 until between the wars, when the Free Church once again united with the Parish Church.

At the end of the road, turn right. This road can be quite busy, so be careful. In a few yards take the first turning on your left. Once you have passed the long white cottage, look to your right to see the War Memorial which commemorates those who fell in WWI.

6

(If you wish to climb to the memorial, there is a signposted path a few yards further up the main road.) As you cross the bridge ahead, look down to your right. Two burns join here, the Lightwater and The Lake. The old wall to the right beyond the bridge is not aligned with the modern bridge and probably leads to the site of an older crossing point. A late prehistoric settlement was in the field to your left.

7 The next road to your right is known locally as the Booglie L o a n i n g because it is reputed to be haunted. Stop opposite this road end and look towards Kirkton Village. The field in front of you was the site of a Roman fort. Here were also a medieval tower house and a small village settlement which were shown on early Ordnance Survey maps, but nothing visible remains. At the next junction (which follows the Roman roads through the fort) turn left. On your right is the Old Manse which was finished in 1799. The field in front of the Manse was the site of the civilian settlement in Roman times. Carry on along this road for a few hundred yards. To your left across the fields is a good view of the church and village. Passing the first house on the left, cross the 19th century Wellington Bridge which was built by the local community as a memorial after the Battle of Waterloo.

8

You now have a choice of routes: Option 1: Shortly after the bridge, go through the gate on your left and follow the raised path which was once the bank of the millrace (and may be muddy) towards the village. Go through the gate at the end of the path into the playpark. This route continues over the page.

Option 2:

Follow the road about a quarter of a mile to the junction with the main road where you turn left and continue into the village to finish the walk.

9

Walk up into the village keeping the two storey 'Cruden' houses, originally built for agricultural workers after the war, on your right. Ahead is the narrow and well used Qua footpath, which some think may be the last remnant of the medieval road into Kirkton from Dumfries. Travellers would have used it to cross the marshy ground shown on the first Ordnance Survey maps while on their way to the mill at Milnhead and to the track which followed the river northwards. A 16th century gold ring, set with a large stone, was found near here. The path leads up past the Village Hall, which was built in 1903, and back to the centre of the village.

Clonfeckle Tower