Annan, Dumfries and Galloway facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Annan Scottish Gaelic: Anainn Scots: Annan
Annan Town Hall
Annan
Population	8,760 (2020)
OS grid reference	NY 192 661
• Edinburgh	67 mi (108 km)
• London	273 mi (439 km)
Council area	Dumfries and Galloway
Lieutenancy area	Dumfries
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	ANNAN
Postcode district	DG12
Dialling code	01461

Police	Dumfries and Galloway
Fire	Dumfries and Galloway
Ambulance	Scottish

EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Scottish Parliament	Dumfriesshire
List of places UK Scotland 54°58′59″N 3°15′58″W / 54.983°N 3.266°W / 54.983; -3.266

Annan, with Mote of Annan to the right

Annan River road bridge

Annan is a town in south-west Scotland. It's located in an area called Dumfries and Galloway. Long ago, it was part of Dumfriesshire. Annan has important buildings like Annan Academy, where the famous writer Thomas Carlyle once studied. There's also a Georgian-style building called "Bridge House". You can also find a Historic Resources Centre in Annan. Some windows on Port Street are still blocked up. This was done to avoid paying an old "window tax."

Every year, on the first Saturday in July, Annan celebrates its history. This event is called the Riding of the Marches. People ride horses to check the town's old boundaries. The celebration also includes a parade, sports, and music from many pipe bands.

Where Annan Is Located

Annan is named after the River Annan. The town sits about 2 miles (3 km) from where the river meets the sea. Smaller boats can travel up the river to Annan Bridge. Larger boats can get within half a mile (800 m) of the town.

Annan is about 15 miles (24 km) from Dumfries by train. It is located on the Solway Firth in the south of Scotland. The town of Eastriggs is about 3 miles (5 km) to the east. The English border near Gretna is about 8 miles (13 km) away.

Annan's Past

Early History

Signs of ancient Roman settlements have been found nearby. The Mote of Annan was the original home of the de Brus family. This family later became known as the Bruces. The most famous Bruce was Robert the Bruce. He was a king of Scotland.

A battle called the Battle of Annan happened here in 1332. Bruce's supporters won against the Balliol family's forces. This battle helped end the first invasion of Scotland during the Second War of Scottish Independence. Other important families, like the Balliols and the Douglases, were also connected to Annan. Annan Castle used to stand in the old churchyard. It was originally the church tower.

Another fight, the Battle of Bruce's Acres, took place near Newbie Castle. This battle was against the English in the 13th century. Bruce's Well is a natural spring by the River Annan. It is also linked to Robert the Bruce.

Later History

During a time of lawlessness on the borders, Annan's people suffered. They faced attacks from moss-troopers and fights between families. They also had losses during the Scottish Wars of Independence. Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed in Annan's High Street during his retreat from Derby.

Annan became a busy port town after the river was protected by embankments. Its shipyards built many clippers and other boats. A stone monument on the jetty remembers Robert Burns. He worked here as a tax collector in the 1790s. Today, the port is mostly dry, but some old boats remain.

Annan Academy is a famous school in the town. The writer Thomas Carlyle was a student there.

In 1878, Annan Town Hall was finished. It was built in a special Scottish style using local sandstone. By 1901, Annan had over 5,800 people. Most of them lived in buildings made of red sandstone.

Recent Events

In 2021, Annan had heavy rain and flooding. This caused two footbridges over the River Annan to collapse. The Cuthbertson Memorial Bridge was built in 1957. It was named after a soldier who died in World War II. The Diamond Jubilee Bridge was much older. It was built in 1897 to celebrate Queen Victoria's 60th year as queen. Losing these bridges was very sad for the local community. They were important for getting across the river.

Town Colours

Annan and other towns in the area use black and gold for their sports teams. The town's coat of arms shows a red cross on a gold background. This cross is linked to the Bruce family. The Riding of the Marches event often uses royal blue and gold colours.

Important Places

Just outside Annan, the Chapelcross nuclear power station used to operate. It ran from 1959 to 2004. Now, it is being taken apart. Its four tall cooling towers were taken down in 2007.

Nearby is Hoddom Castle. It was built by John Maxwell, who was the 4th Lord Herries.

Some people say that a part of the A75 road between Annan and Dumfries is haunted.

Religion

The 2022 Scottish census asked about religion. It found that 55% of people in Annan said they had no religion. This was a little higher than the average for Scotland. About 39% of the town identified as Christian. Less than 1% followed other religions.

Christian Churches

Annan has several church buildings:

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)

There is also a local group called Annandale Churches Together. They work to bring different churches together.

Economy

In the 1800s, Annan was connected to several railways. It sent cured hams, cattle, sheep, and grain to England. The town also made cotton goods, ropes, and ships. People also fished for salmon. By the time of the First World War, Annan was known for curing bacon and making whiskey. It also had tanneries, sandstone quarries, and plant nurseries.

Cochran Boilers was a major company in Annan. It started in 1878 and moved to Annan in 1897. The company became a big worldwide exporter of boilers. They invented the famous Cochran Vertical Boiler.

Annandale distillery started in 1836. It closed in 1918 but reopened in 2014. It now makes a type of whiskey called Lowland Malt.

Media

Television

Local TV news programs that cover Annan include:

BBC Reporting Scotland from Glasgow.
ITV News Lookaround from Gateshead.
BBC Look North from Newcastle can also be watched.

Radio

Radio stations available in Annan are:

BBC Radio Scotland on 94.7 FM
BBC Radio Cumbria on 95.6 FM
Greatest Hits Radio Dumfries & Galloway on 103.0 FM

Newspapers

The local newspaper is The Annandale Observer. It is published every Friday.

Education

Annan Academy is the main high school for the town. It serves the whole area of South Annandale.
Dumfries & Galloway College is in Dumfries. Many students from Annan go there for further education after high school.

Transportation

Annan Bridge is a stone bridge with three arches. It was built between 1824 and 1827. It carries road traffic over the River Annan. There is also a railway bridge and a pedestrian bridge nearby. Annan still has a train station called Annan railway station. Other old stations, like Annan Shawhill, are now closed.

Outdoor Activities

The Annandale Way is a long walking path. It is about 53 miles (85 km) long and opened in 2009. The path follows the River Annan from its start to the sea. It goes through the town of Annan and offers interesting walks both upstream and downstream.

Sport

Annan Athletic F.C. is the town's football team. They play at Galabank Stadium. The men's team is semi-professional. The club also has women's and youth teams.
Annan RFC is the town's rugby team. They play at Violetbank. They have men's, women's, and youth teams too.
Annan Town AFC and FC Annan are amateur football teams. They play at Everholm Park in Dumfries.
Annan Alligators is a swimming club.
ADAC is an athletics club.
Annan Pétanque Club started in 2021.

Annan has had other football clubs in the past, including Annan N.B. Football Club, Annan Wanderers F.C., Annan F.C., and Solway Star F.C..

Famous People from Annan

Edward Irving, around 1823

Thomas Blacklock (1721–1791), a Scottish poet.
Hugh Clapperton (1788–1827), a Scottish naval officer and explorer.
Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881), a British writer and thinker.
David Gow (born 1957), an engineer who invented the i-Limb prosthetic hand.
Edward Irving (1792–1834), a Scottish church leader. There is a statue of him at Annan Old Parish Church.
Ashley Jensen (born 1969), an actress known for shows like Extras and Ugly Betty.
George Johnston (1764–1823), a leader in New South Wales, Australia.
James Johnstone (physician) (1730?–1802), a medical doctor and scholar.
William Ewart Lockhart (1846–1900), an artist who painted in oil and water-colour.
Robert Murray M'Cheyne (1813–1843), a preacher.
David Payne (1843–1894), a landscape artist.
Jim Wallace (born 1954), a politician who was Deputy First Minister of Scotland. He was born in Annan.

Sport

Andy Aitken (born 1978), a professional footballer.
Cameron Bell (born 1986), a former footballer who played for teams like Kilmarnock and Rangers.
David Leslie (1953–2008), a racing car driver.
Hardy Wright (1893–1974), a famous greyhound trainer.