Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thornhill
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 Monument to Joseph Thomson |
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 Thornhill
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| Population | 1,670 (2020) |
| OS grid reference | NX877954 |
| • Edinburgh | 54 mi (87 km) |
| • London | 298 mi (480 km) |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Thornhill |
| Postcode district | DG3 |
| Dialling code | 01848 |
| Police | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Fire | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Thornhill (called Bàrr na Driseig in Scottish Gaelic) is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is located in the Mid Nithsdale area. You can find it south of Sanquhar and north of Dumfries on the main A76 road.
Thornhill sits in the beautiful Nithsdale valley. To the west are the Carsphairn and Scaur mountains. To the east are the Lowther hills.
The village was planned and built in 1717. It was part of the Queensberry Estate. It was created on the road that connects Dumfries to Glasgow. The Earl of Queensberry first called it 'New Dalgarnock'. However, people did not like this name, so it became Thornhill.
The village has a grid pattern of streets. The main street is Drumlanrig Street (the A76). Other streets include East and West Morton Streets, New Street, Townhead Street, Station Road, Corstorphine Road, and Gill Road (the A702).
Near the village is Drumlanrig Castle. This is a large mansion from the 17th century with towers. It used to be a stronghold for the Douglas family. Today, it is home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The castle grounds also contain Tibbers Castle, which was built in the 12th or 13th century.
In 2001, the village had 1,512 people living there.
Contents
Getting Around Thornhill
Bus Services
Buses in Thornhill are run by a group called SWESTRANS. This group works with different local and national bus companies.
Train Station History
Thornhill railway station closed in 1965. It was part of the old main train line from Carlisle and Dumfries to Kilmarnock and Glasgow. Today, the closest train stations are in Dumfries or Sanquhar.
In 2016, local people were asked if they wanted the station to reopen. Most residents strongly supported this idea. Reopening the station is now a goal for the village's future plans.
Learning in Thornhill
Wallace Hall School
The local school is called Wallace Hall. It got its name when it joined with the old Closeburn school. The original Closeburn school was started in 1723. It was founded by John Wallace, a merchant from Glasgow. He was born in Closeburn.
Wallace Hall Primary School and its Nursery moved into a new building in January 2010. This new building is shared with the Academy (high school).
Famous Former Students
Many talented people have gone to Wallace Hall. These include:
- Andrew Coltart, a professional golfer.
- Bobby Black, a Scottish footballer and bowls champion.
- Colin Peacock, a Scottish International Bowler. He represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games in 2006.
- Moira Brown, a swimmer. She swam for Scotland in the Commonwealth Games. She also represented Great Britain in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Well-Known People from Thornhill
Thornhill has been home to several notable individuals.
- A monument honors the explorer Joseph Thomson. He lived nearby in Penpont and Gatelawbridge. The Thomson's Gazelle is named after him.
- In the center of town, there is a column with a winged horse on top. This horse is the symbol of the Queensberry family.
- The Very Reverend Dr James Harkness was from Thornhill. He was the first non-Anglican Chaplain-General of the UK Armed Forces. He was also the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1995.
- Helen Armstrong, née Hyslop worked as a cook at the Buccleuch Arms for thirty years. People say she was a daughter of the famous poet Robert Burns. Her mother was Helen Hyslop from Moffat.
- Samuel Wallace, who received the Victoria Cross medal, was born here. A special plaque for him is near the Thomson memorial.
- John McLachan (architect) (1843–1893), an architect, was born in Thornhill.
- Joseph Laing Waugh, an author, was born and grew up here.
- Andrew Coltart, a professional golfer, was born and learned to play golf in Thornhill.
Things to Do in Thornhill
Thornhill offers many activities and places to visit.
- You can enjoy sports like bowling, squash, and football.
- There is also a golf course.
- The nearby River Nith and its smaller rivers are great for fishing.
The village also has many shops and services.
- You can find clothes shops, a Chinese takeaway, cafes, and pubs.
- There are food stores, a large pharmacy, and a hardware store.
- Other shops include a butcher, an electrical shop, gift shops, and hairdressers.
- The large Victorian post office is on the north side of town. It also has a Royal Mail sorting office that serves the local area.
- Thornhill has a garage and a small filling station.
- There are public washrooms and a small hospital.
Thornhill Music Festival
The Thornhill Music Festival started in 2012. It has become a popular yearly event. People from all over the UK come to enjoy the music. The festival has grown thanks to the local community, volunteers, and venues.
The Lewis Hamilton Band started this festival. They noticed there were fewer places to hear live music. So, in 2012, they decided to create a festival. They wanted it to be like other successful Blues Festivals, but with more types of music. Most of the venues offer free entry all weekend.
Since 2018, the festival has received funding from National Lottery Awards. This has helped them bring music to people who cannot attend the main events. They work with Wallace Hall school. They plan to provide music to the Dementia Group at the Friendship Club. They also bring music to Briary Park Old People's home. In 2018, the festival also launched its own website.
See also
In Spanish: Thornhill (Dumfries and Galloway) para niños
