Amble Around Annan

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

Annan Amble - Railways, past and present

As 2022 has been designated Scotland's Year of Stories, we thought that we would share with you some 'stories' of Annan. This is one of a series of blogs of our ambles around the streets of Annan, looking for unusual sights, old shop signage, benchmarks etc.

🥾 Railways - Past and present tracks around Annan.

- 5-6 km (approx 3m)

- 1-2 hours (approx)

- NOT a circular route.

- Click/tap on a photo to enlarge it and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

- Please take care near roads.

Downloaded from OS OpenData under Open Government License

We begin our railway ramble at St Columba's church on Scott's street. What is now the scrap yard between St Columba's and Tesco's used to be Shawhill Station, one of two stations in Annan. It was opened by the Solway Junction Railway in the late 19th century but closed to passengers in 1931 and to goods traffic in 1955. Shawhill had only a single passenger platform but three freight sidings with a large goods shed and signal box.

The station building was made of local stone and although passenger numbers were low the goods yard was busy with coal and livestock. Most of the track has now been replaced by a pipeline from Chapelcross Power Station.

In 1864 the Solway Junction Railway company raised the money to build a line linking the Caledonian Railway near Kirtlebridge in Scotland, to the Maryport and Carlisle Railway in Cumberland, by crossing the Solway Firth. Alex Brogden director of the company employed James Brunlees, to be the engineer and design the viaduct across the Firth. In 1865 William Ewart, MP, was presented with the silver spade by Brogden to cut the first sod. The structure was made of wrought and cast iron and was almost 2000 yards long. Each of the 193 cast iron piers was made up of 5 individual columns. There were embankments on each side of the firth – enlarged because of the threat of the tides – and it is quite likely that the red sandstone used for both came from Corsehill Quarry near Annan.

RoM 2016

The winter of 1880/81 was extremely cold, with continuous snow and freezing weather. Water froze on both shores of the Solway, and along the estuaries of the Esk and Eden. With high Spring tides the sheets of ice were lifted and carried down the Firth and over the next few days the huge ice floes were continually moved around by the tides, crashing against the viaduct’s supports until a large section of the viaduct finally fell. Engineers and inspectors came to assess the damage and Major Marindin, the Board of Trade Inspector, set up an Inquiry which concluded that because of the size of the icefloes, with no wind to break them up, it was not surprising that the cast-iron pillars, made brittle with the cold, were unable to withstand the shock.
Although the SJRailway re-opened it was soon obvious that the route was no longer commercially viable. By May 1921 there was only one mixed (passenger and freight) train across the Moss and the viaduct on Tuesdays and Saturdays. In August, it became apparent that more repairs were needed – and on Wednesday 31st August 1921, the viaduct was closed. Eight years later, in 1934, the decision was taken to dismantle both the viaduct and the railway track. Dismantling the iron work was a massive task and steam barges with cranes were brought in to remove the pillars and piles from the water but by November 1935 the dismantling of the viaduct was complete. Six cast-iron pillars remain on the Bowness side as a memorial to the attempt to join Scotland with England across the Solway Firth and during a very low tide the tops of some of the piles that are close to the Bowness embankment are just visible.

Geograph © James TM Towhill

Continuing past Tesco, and along Watchhall Road, we soon head downhill with a view of the Solway Firth in the distance. We cross a railway bridge that goes over the main line from Carlisle. Follow the road as it turns a corner and then turn right at the junction - back towards Annan. The next railway bridge, by the saw mill, is a disused bridge - disused by the railway but not by walkers! Can you find the benchmark on this bridge? A set of steps just past the bridge will take you up onto the now disused line where we meet again the pipeline from Chapelcross and have the ability to walk down the line towards the shore, where the viaduct would have been .The sawmill was where a loop joined the Solway Junction Railway to the main line.

Map: National Library of Scotland

Continuing along Hecklegirth we come to another railway bridge on the line to Annan. Looking over the bridge on your left you can see the green footbridge we will be using shortly .Soon after we find two houses dated 1900 on the right and the track to the allotments on the left. The track will take us to the footbridge over the mainline railway.

Turning right into Annerley Road, right into Summergate and right again onto St John's Road will bring us to the railway bridge over the mainline at Annan Station. There is another benchmark on this bridge. Annan station is on the Glasgow South Western line running between Carlisle and Glasgow Central, via Kilmarnock. The station was used for delivering goods, such as fresh fish, right up until the 1980's when the goods yard closed.

Walking along Elmvale cut, to the left of the bridge, you can see more of the station. Annan had a goods yard here and also an Auction Mart, where Elmvale School now is.

1931 Map: National Library of Scotland

Continue through the cut, turn right to follow the road and footpaths through the houses. Coming out you see another railway bridge (Number 345) on the opposite side of the track. If you turn right it will take you up to the gate of the current Annan Signal Box. Turning left will bring you out onto Port Street, opposite a garage which is situated right next to the railway bridge and its arches.

Passing under bridge Number 344 will bring you to Douglas Place and a left turn towards the Riverside Walk. Cross the pedestrian bridge over the river but note the viaduct to your left that takes the railway out towards the west. Follow the loop after the bridge and head towards the viaduct. Bridge number 343 has a benchmark on it if you can find it!

Newbie Junction, between 1898 and 1904, had a railway line that used to head south to Cochrane's boiler works and the brick & tile works at Newbie. Trains were for workers/goods only. If you choose to walk further along the footpath towards Newbie, with the River Annan on your left, you will eventually come to a stone bridge. Looking across the field here you can see the remains of the railway.

1900 and 1957 Maps: National Library of Scotland

Further along the line at Cummertrees there also used to be a two platform station, that closed in 1965. The station building was on the westbound platform but it also had a goods yard and a signal box and from a siding opposite the goods yard there was a tramway that ran to Kelhead Lime Works. This closed in 1925.

1925 Map: National Library of Scotland

From bridge 343 you can return to Annan by crossing the bridge again and walking back along the riverside walk or not cross the bridge and walk along the other side of the river and go up the steps by the road bridge. Either way they will bring you back to the road bridge and then the High Street.

The following line wasn't built

This extract is taken from Slater's Directory 1886 and is part of the description of the town and it mentions plans for a railway down to Waterfoot where steamers left for Liverpool.

The port or harbour of Annan is free, and vessels of 250 tons can come within half a mile of the town, but vessels of much larger burthen can enter the river at its confluence with the Solway, distant little more than a mile from the town; at this place are wooden wharves or jetties. It is in contemplation to make a dock at the waterfoot, and also to give the railway companies power to extend their lines to the dock when finished. If these improvements are carried out it will add greatly to the importance of the surrounding district, but more particularly to the port of Annan. Vessels generally make the passage between Annan and Liverpool within 12 hours, that is, in one tide only, from harbour to harbour; and a vessel belonging to each company makes, at least, one trip to and from weekly. The convenience afforded by this rapidity of communication with Liverpool, has greatly increased the trade, and a considerable quantity of bacon, grain, livestock and other commodities are thus weekly conveyed to the Liverpool market.

Old maps show a Public House nearby and rumours of a hotel to cater for the visitors.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Annan Amble: Inns, Pubs and Taverns

🥾 Inns, pubs and taverns - drinking establishments in Annan.

- 3-4 km (approx 2m)

- 1-2 hours (approx)

- NOT a circular route.

- Click/tap on a photo to enlarge it and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

- Please take care near roads.

Background map downloaded from OS OpenData under 0pen Government License

Ale was a native British drink long before the arrival of the Roman Empire although they did introduce tabernae, which later became known as taverns. The British brew of ale was originally made without hops. Ale brewed with hops was gradually introduced in the 14th and 15th centuries and was known as beer. Alehouses were ordinary dwellings where home-brewed ale and beer were served, although lodging for travellers was sometimes offered. Inns however were purpose-built for travellers, with bedrooms and stabling. Taverns sold wine which was more expensive than ale or beer, so the patrons were richer people who could afford it.The coaching inn was a vital part of the country's inland transport infrastructure until the development of the railway, providing a resting point for people and horses. The inn served the needs of travellers, for food, drink and a rest. The attached stables, staffed by hostlers, cared for the horses, including changing a tired team for a fresh one. Coaching inns were used by private travellers in their own coaches, and the public riding stagecoaches between one town and another. The passengers on these stagecoaches consisted of two groups, the more affluent who could afford to travel inside the coach, and the others who would be left on the outside. The ‘insiders’ would receive the warmest greetings and be welcomed into the innkeepers private parlour while those on the outside would only get to sit in the bar. Many establishments of that time would be split into several rooms and bars to cater for differing classes of customer.

In 1552, an Act was passed that required a licence in order to run a inn/pub/tavern and in 1577 it was estimated that there were about 17,000 alehouses, 2,000 inns and 400 taverns throughout England and Wales.

The term public house first appeared in the late 17th century, and was used to differentiate private houses from those which were open to the public as 'alehouses', taverns and inns. The term hotel was rare in Britain before 1800.

In 1840 it was estimated that around Annan there were about 40 drinking houses, variously called Inns, Taverns, Hotels etc. Some of them we can find no record of, some we know where they used to be, and some amazingly are still there! Let us take you on a pub walk - but don't expect to find many places where you can actually get a drink!

We begin at the Brittania Inn, which was on Port Street, just past Cotton Lodge.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland
photos © 2022 P Russell

Further up Port Street on the same side of the street are Jubilee Gardens - a nice space with seats and picnic tables and access to the river walk. This is where one of the several breweries Anan used to have was situated.

Annan online

Map: National Library of Scotland

Almost opposite the entrance to the gardens was The Royal Oak.

At the top of Port Street - the old Port Street before a new extension was added - was the Steam Packet Inn.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland,
photo © 2022 P Russell

Have you heard of the Bridge Inn, the Coach & Horses, the George Inn, the Spurr Inn, the Anchor Inn, the Union Hotel, the Grapes, the Ship Inn, the Plough Inn, the Queen’s Head, the Drove Inn, or the Turk’s Head? These are names of drinking establishments around Annan in the 19th century.
Pigot’s trade directory of 1837 mentions the Kings Arms, the Grapes, the Bush, the Coach and Horses, the Buck, the Plough the Queen’s Head, the Drove and the Scotch Arms on the High Street, The Ship and the Steam Packet Inn on Port Street, the Turks head and the Globe at Fish Cross, and the Annandale Arms in Thomas Street.

Reaching the High Street we see one of the oldest inns in Annan. The Blue Bell Inn dates from around 1770 and was originally a coaching inn, acting as staging post for coaches running between Dumfries, Carlisle and Langholm. Hans Christian Anderson is said to have stayed here. Under the State Management scheme the Blue Bell was refitted and has not fundamentally changed an awful lot since then.

On the opposite side of the High Street to the Blue Bell is the Police Station - which used to be the Bush Inn.

1895 plans for alterations held by Annan Museum

Jug from Bush Inn on display in Annan Museum

Continuing along the High Street we come to the Queensberry Arms, another establishment that has been in Annan for many years, and was a staging post for Edinburgh and London coaches. You can just see the archway in this photo that led to the rear of the building.

Thanks to the Queensberry Hotel for this photo

You can see from these photos it hasn't changed much over the years!

Back across the road and Hay's Close (next to TOFS) was the site of the Old King's Arms.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland
photo © 2022 P Russell

Just further along the High Street is Fairfield Place where the Crown and Thistle occupied the whole of the left hand side from the High Street to the North Burn - according to a report in the Annandale Observer from 1858.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland

Continuing along the street we come to the Corner House Hotel, built in 1899, this was originally Maclean's Temperance Hotel. Valuation Rolls tell us there were other temperance hotels in Annan - Lorimer's and Stewart's in Bank Street, 36 High Street and the Firth Hotel.

Old Annan by Rhona Wilson

In the United Kingdom, drinking restrictions were tightened considerably following the advent of the First World War. The Defence of the Realm Act (1914) along with introducing rationing and censorship of the press, restricted pubs' opening hours to 12 noon–2:30 pm and 6:30 pm–9:30 pm. Opening for the full licensed hours was compulsory, and closing time was equally firmly enforced by the police.

The State Management Scheme was introduced in certain areas during WW1, continued through WW2 and went on until 1973. The government were concerned about the increase in the consumption of alcohol and anti-social behaviour in areas where work for the war effort was concentrated. Absences due to sickness and the likelihood of accidents was of great concern so the state intervened. Drinking establishments were taken over, drink prices were fixed and the only beer permitted was that made by a local government-owned brewery. Under 18’s couldn’t buy alcohol and no spirits were served on a Saturday. They also advocated providing new social activities – such as at Gracie’s Banking in Annan, where there was a quoiting rink, bowling green, putting green, billiard rooms and the very popular Kinema.

After buying the Corner House Alexander Irving was instrumental in bringing State Management to an end in the mid seventies.

RoM 1973

Looking across the street you can see The Anglers, which is another of the present day pubs - but it was where the State Control Office and Off Licence was during State Management.

Just before the Corner House there is a narrow entrance to Wilkins Wynd - which was where the Black Bull was found.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland

Just further along the High Street at Number 73 is where there was a cafe/wine bar (The Mariner's?) in the cellar. Later, and until 2012, it was known as the Vaults.

Crossing into Lady Street, Galloway Carpets are now where the Crown Inn used to be.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland
photo © 2022 P Russell

The Shed, Annan's Inn Place just opposite here is a very popular pub today, sponsoring sports, (including Annan Athletic FC) and showing a range of sports on their many screens.

Shed Facebook page

Continuing along Lady Street, past the cinema, we see from maps of Annan that there used to be three pubs in this area.

Map: National Library of Scotland

This one is a mystery but the other two were the Annandale Arms and the Victoria Inn.

1859 Map: National Library of Scotland

The Annandale Arms was near the corner of what is now called Nursery Place and the Victoria Inn was at the junction of English Street with Wellington Street.

We head off along English Street and turn onto Butts Street to get back to the High Street.

The Commercial Hotel, along with the Blue Bell, the Buck and the Queensberry Arms, is one of the oldest inns in Annan still in existence. Close to the town's markets it was very popular with farmers but was also a Posting Establishment, working from the yard behind the pub. For a short time (1977 - 1985) it was named the Royal Scot but soon changed back - but now the Commercial Inn.

See if you can see find the sign on the wall that we have been told marks a water main and valve.

There is also a sign on the side wall of the Commercial (by Farm Foods) that tells us that it was established in 1769.

Continuing along the High Street into Church Street and then Scotts Street we come to the Firth Hotel. The Firth Hotel used to be St John's Parsonage until it was bought in 1940 by Archibald Bridger (who used to own the Corner House Hotel until he sold it to Alexander Irving) Because of State Management, it was a temperance hotel.

Returning to the Commercial Hotel and Fish Cross we find the site of the Globe Hotel. Colin James is here now.

Thanks to V Phillips for this photo

Further along the High Street where Graham's Barbers is now, the Red Lion used to be.

1859 map: National Library of Scotland

A newspaper report tells us that a pub licence was applied for in connection with the Caledonian Inn (Rene's now) - but was refused. Too many pubs in Annan perhaps??

The Robert Burns Tavern was where Home Sweet Home is and the New Inn was where LJ Residential is now.

The Albert Hotel has long been demolished but stood in the space next to the Observer offices on the opposite side of the street. During the time of State Management Gracie's Banking was accessed through this same space and offered a beer hall.

Thanks to Nicholson's at 33 High Street for this photo

Turning left into Downie's Wynd we come to the site of the Vine Inn - opposite St Andrew's church.

Map: National Library of Scotland
photo © P Russell

We can return to the High Street from here but if you continue along Downie's Wynd into Station Road you eventually reach, the now derelict, Central Hotel - a very busy establishment in its heyday.

Thanks to the Devil's Porridge Museum

Continuing on towards the Station the former ticket office has been repurposed as the Station House.

If you stayed on Downie's Wynd and didn't take the detour towards the station, return again to the High Street and on the opposite side of the street is The Buck Hotel.

It began as a Posting Establishment, dating from 1700, but was demolished and rebuilt in 1903.

Over the years it has been known by a variety of names - New Buck, Auberge, Back to the Buck but today is once again known as the Buck Inn.

Have you ever looked up at the frontage of the Buck and noticed the sun dial on the wall?

This concludes our amble around the inns, pubs and taverns of Annan and we are sure that any of the establishments still in existence would be ideal for refreshments!

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about anything in this blog - or can correct any mistakes - please let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page.

Friday, January 28, 2022

Annan Amble: Places of Worship

🥾 Places of Worship - a walk around Annan's places of worship

- 1-2 km (approx 1m)

- 1-2 hours (approx)

- NOT a circular route.

- Click/tap on a photo to enlarge it and give you the pictures as a slideshow.

- Please take care near roads.

Background map downloaded from OS OpenData under 0pen Government License

Scottish churches have suffered divisions and reunions many times over the years with probably the biggest in 1534 when the Church of England broke away from the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. The churches in Annan have changed their names as these divisions and unions occurred. We have had secession and baptist chapels, presbyterian, relief, free, episcopalian and parish churches to name just a few. Here are a few details of some of the churches, past and present, and we begin at the Town Hall.

1859: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

Annan built a church here in the 17^th century (hence the graveyard next to the council offices/town hall) to stand in front of its Tolbooth but 1723 saw a thatched building erected to serve as church, tolbooth and town hall putting the original church into disuse. The new building grew, eventually having a slated roof and adding a tower and clock. However the church within this building was eventually deserted and a new parish church, on a new site, was completed in 1791. (see later)

1859: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

Some buildings that were previously places of worship have now been repurposed. We head off to see an example of this in Greencroft Wynd but as you enter Greencroft Wynd note the guardstone at the corner with the High Street (on Nicholson's side), A guardstone is a projecting stone placed to prevent damage by wheels. This is not the best example but there are others around Annan.

2022 © P Russell

Continue along the street to see what used to be a Congregational church, but is now Sparkler's Nursery.

1859: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

In 1931 however it was a Salvation Army Hall.

1931: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

The Salvation Army was founded in 1865, by a Methodist preacher called William Booth. With his wife Catherine they set up the East London Christian Mission. They wanted to offer practical help to the poor and destitute as well as preaching the gospel to them. They changed its name to the Salvation Army in 1878 and today it has more than 1 million members in more than 100 countries.

According to 'A Guide to Old Annan' (by Voyager Young Enterprise Company at Annan Academy, published 1998) the HQ for the Salvation Army was at the Albert Hall in Port Street, where they met during the week and on Sundays.

Continuing along Greencroft Wynd and into Station Road you can see that the sign for Station Road is carved into the stone (well in winter you can, it will be obscured by the greenery in summer!)

There is another on the same terrace (Clue - it says 'The Park')
Shortly we come to the United Reformed church. It was built about 1903 by the fishermen in the town and has changed very little. The most striking feature is the pulpit which represents the bow and bridge of a boat. The church takes the name 'Reformed' because it has its roots in the Reformation of the 17th century, but also because it seeks to be continually reforming, to equip itself to be a church for today.

On the opposite side of the street there are 2 houses that have names engraved on their gate pillars. There will be more of these to look out for later.

The YMCA had an ‘Institute’ on Station Road, opposite the Central Hotel, and also had ‘tennis courts and ground’ behind the building. 'A Guide to Old Annan' (by Voyager Young Enterprise Company at Annan Academy, published 1998) reports that the Young Women's Christian Association met in the Victoria Halls every Tuesday for Bible study.

In June 1844 George Williams, a draper, joined 11 friends to organise the first Young Men's Christian Association as a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men trying to escape the dangers of life on the streets of London. The YMCA spread across the country and then the world helping young men with a variety of problems encountered in their lives. Today it works with young men, and women, regardless of their race or religion.

Annan from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth by John Thomson

The building was demolished and although the road layout has changed there is still a large empty space where the building used to be.

Looking across to junction of St John's Road and Station Road we see the new flats that have recently been built but did you know that there used to a church here? Greenknowe church came into being in 1840 when the Presbytery of Annan approved an application by the Rev. William Wyper to come and minister to a new congregation of the Church of Scotland. He then set about fundraising for a church building.

1859: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

Growing Together -the history of St Andrew's Greenknowe Erskine Parish Church

Greenknowe refused to be amalgamated with the Parish church in 1873 but was made quoad sacra (it was a new parish, but the original parish remained the unit for civil and administrative purposes) Talk began in 1928 about a merger with St Andrew's as Greenknowe was deemed to be in need of so much restoration. The church was later vacated but soon after suffered a fire that destroyed it. A new building was built on the same plot but it then amalgamated with St Andrew’s church to become St Andrew’s Greenknowe Parish Church.

Heading back towards the town centre along St John's Road there are many more house names engraved on gate pillars - most of them on just one side of the street! There is also a date stone on one of the houses.

Towards the end of the street we come to St. John the Evangelist church. It is one of the oldest episcopal churches in the diocese, opened in 1843 after a design by Christopher Hodgson of Carlisle. There is a church hall built around 1893 in the grounds. The Scottish Episcopal Church began as a distinct church in 1582, and 'episcopal' government is by Bishops.

Continuing along St John's Road to the junction with Bank Street and Ednam Street we see St Andrew's, which began as a Free church and had its first minister in 1844. The Free churches were formed to be separate from the government and their state churches. The building in Bank Street, where it began, was adapted as a church and improvements after 1881 included a new gallery and new seating. A church hall was added in 1884. In 1900 it changed its name to St Andrew’s United Free church and in 1929 the United Free Church reunited with the Church of Scotland so that it became known as St Andrew’s Church of Scotland. In 1930 St Andrew’s and Greenknowe merged to become St Andrew’s Greenknowe Parish Church – who in 1974 then merged with Erskine Church to become St. Andrew’s Greenknowe Erskine Parish Church.
Taking a left turn here we find what is left of Erskine church!

Erskine at its best - from Growing together -a history of St Andrew's Greenknowe Erskine Parish Church

Erskine, like St Andrew's was a United Free church, previously having been known as a Secession church, a United Secession church and Erskine Presbyterian church. 'Presbyterian' church government is rule by elders. In 1831 it was suggested that new church buildings were needed but it was 3 years before they found somewhere, in Bank Street. The Free church and the United Presbyterian church became the United Free church around 1900 and in 1906 ground was acquired for a church hall behind the Post Office in Bank Street. As with St Andrew's when the United Free church reunited with the Church of Scotland its name returned to Erskine Church (of Scotland). So ... in Annan there was Greenknowe Parish Church, St Andrew's Church and Erskine Church. In 1930 St Andrew's and Greenknowe merged to become St Andrew's Greenknowe Parish Church. Then in 1974 it merged with Erskine church to become St Andrew's Greenknowe Erskine Parish Church.

Returning to St Andrew's and turning down Downie's Wynd we see The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witness, who endeavour to honour Jehovah, the God of the Bible and Creator of all things. They regularly spend time helping people learn about the Bible and God's kingdom and get their name from the fact that they witness, or talk, about Jehovah.

Crossing the High Street we head along Lady Street until we reach Nursery Place. Turning into Nursery Place we find Nursery Hall, on the left at the corner with Moat Road. It is on record as being a hall for the Christian Brethren. The brethren movement consists of Plymouth Brethren, Christian Brethren or just Brethren. They resisted taking an official name , having headquarters or clergy and were called brethren because of their habit of referring to each other as 'brother' or 'sister'.

We believe this was also the Salvation Army hall in the 1950's.

Returning to Lady Street we go along English Street until it meets Butts Street. We turn left here keep going until we hit the corner of Johnstone Street. There was a Baptist chapel at the corner of Johnstone Street and Hopetoun Street (now Butts Street). This later became Thomson Hardware and more recently Baby Bump and Beyond Boutique (although this business is now on the High Street). Historians trace the earliest 'Baptist' church to 1609 in Amsterdam, with Englishman John Smyth as its pastor. In accordance with his reading of the New Testament, he rejected baptism of infants and instituted baptism of believing adults.

1859: Reproduced with permission of the National Library of Scotland

Returning to the High Street we head towards Fish Cross and Church Street. The building of Annan Old Parish Church began in 1790 on the site donated by the Marquis of Annandale. The church cost just over £600 but was completed without a steeple because of a lack of funds, but the money was raised and a steeple was added in 1798. A clock was also added although this was replaced in about 1976. The church is known affectionately as 'Annan Old' and the 225 year anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone was celebrated in 2014.

Annan Old Parish on Facebook

Note the date on the building behind the church and if you look up the tops of the drain pipes have a date on them, presumably the last time they were replaced. See if you can find the benchmark on the building too. Benchmarks are points of reference used by surveyors. They were chiselled into the stone and an angle-iron was then placed on it to form a 'bench' from which they could then accurately measure the height above sea-level.

Further along Church Street where it meets Charles Street there is another disused building. This used to be a Baptist chapel. Note the carved street name on the side of the building on Charles Street.

Continuing along Church Street and Scotts Street we see St Columba's Church. It was originally built as a Congregational church in 1794 on the site of a Secession Meeting House. Congregational church government is rule by the congregation. There is still a datestone for 1794 on the side wall of the church. It re-opened as a Catholic church in 1839 and was extended at both ends in 1904 by Charles Walker of Newcastle as the gift of the parish priest the Rev Lord Archibald Douglas.

This concludes our walk around the places of worship in Annan.