ANNAN

The River Annan in Annandale leads up to the town of Annan from the Solway Firth.  The Romans used the rivers and "waths" or fords hereabouts to invade the area and they set up camps and fortifications in Annandale.  The area has had a turbulent past, being so close to the border with England, with many battles in the struggle for Scottish independence.  Later, more peaceful times brought economic activity to the area including agriculture, shipbuilding and sandstone quarrying.  Annan, a Royal Burgh, is the largest town in the district.  The original burgh charter conferred by the lords of Annandale, the de Brus family (later known as the Bruces, as in Robert The Bruce) disappeared during the border wars, but a new one was granted by James V in 1538.  Each July the event is commemorated with the Riding Of The Marches, involving over 100 horsemen and women, and displays of Scottish pipes and drums.  The Annan Museum covers the town's history from prehistoric times until World War I.  Annan has a number of impressive landmarks and buildings.  There is a 176-year-old road bridge designed by the engineer John Rennie.  Bridge House is a Georgian town house dating from 1780, and was formerly an academy.  The Victorian Town Hall is built in the Gothic style, while Annan Old Parish Church dates from 1789.  One of the town's oldest relics is the 12th century motte and bailey built by Robert de Brus within a public park, overlooking the River Annan.  Opposite the park is a cottage where Wlliam Ewart Lockhart, artist to Queen Victoria, grew up.  

Map of the area. 

Annan river bridge - Oct 2006. Photo by Red Sunset, via Wikimedia Commons