Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway
Encyclopedia
Thornhill is a town in the Mid Nithsdale area of Dumfries and Galloway
, Scotland
, south of Sanquhar
and north of Dumfries
.
A monument to the explorer Joseph Thomson
(after whom the Thomson's Gazelle
is named), who lived in neighbouring Penpont
and Gatelawbridge
, can be found close to the school. It also has a column topped by a winged horse
, the emblem of the Queensberry family
, in the centre of the town.
The school
,which has recently been rebuilt, gained its name, Wallace Hall Academy
, on amalgamation with the nearby Closeburn school of that name. The original Closeburn school was founded in 1723 by John Wallace, a merchant in Glasgow
and native of Closeburn
. Alumni include the golfer Andrew Coltart
. Bobby Black
(Scottish League internationalist and Scottish League Cup
winning footballer and also all England bowls
champion) is also from Thornhill. Colin Peacock, A long serving Scottish International Bowler and Commonwealth Games representative in 2006. Swimmer, Moira Brown represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games and represented Great Britain in the 1972 Munich Olympics as well as several other internationals.
The Very Reverend Dr James Harkness, first non-Anglican Chaplain-General of the UK Armed Forces and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
in 1995, is from Thornhill.
Thornhill has a bowling green,a golf course and is renowned for the excellent fishing
in the nearby River Nith and tributaries.
Thornhill also features a wide variety of retail outlets, such as clothes boutiques, cafes, pubs, food stores, a large pharmacy, an ironmonger, an electrical retailer, gift shops and two hairdressers. The large Victorian post office stands on the north side of the town,along with a Royal Mail
sorting office which serves a large rural area. There is also a garage and a small backstreet filling station. The town also has a public library and a cottage hospital. The railway station
, closed in 1965, is on the old Glasgow and South Western main line from Carlisle
and Dumfries
to Kilmarnock
and Glasgow
. Investigations are in progress for its possible reopening. The town is served by several bus services, including the Stagecoach
service 246 Dumfries to Ayr and the MacEwans service 102 Dumfries to Edinburgh.
Thornhill sits in the Nith valley in close proximity to ranges of interesting hills on either side, the Carsphairn and Scaur
range to the west and the Lowther hills
to the east. These hills offer excellent possibilities for the outdoor enthusiast.
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, south of Sanquhar
Sanquhar
Sanquhar is a town on the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It lies north of Thornhill and west of Moffat. It is a Royal Burgh.Sanquhar is notable for its tiny post office , claimed to be the oldest working post office in the world...
and north of Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
.
A monument to the explorer Joseph Thomson
Joseph Thomson (explorer)
Joseph Thomson was a Scottish geologist and explorer who played an important part in the Scramble for Africa. Thomson's Gazelle is named for him. Excelling as an explorer rather than an exact scientist, he avoided confrontations among his porters or with indigenous peoples, neither killing any...
(after whom the Thomson's Gazelle
Thomson's Gazelle
The Thomson's gazelle is one of the best-known gazelles. It is named after explorer Joseph Thomson and, as a result, is sometimes referred to as a "tommie"...
is named), who lived in neighbouring Penpont
Penpont
Penpont is a small village in the region of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, two miles west of Thornhill.It is situated near the confluence of the Shinnel Water and Scaur Water rivers in the foothills of the Southern Uplands, and has a population of roughly 400 people...
and Gatelawbridge
Gatelawbridge
Gatelawbridge is a hamlet in the region of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, two and a half miles east of Thornhill and near the gorge Crichope Linn. The origin of the name is unknown though in the past the locals called it Gateley Bridge, so perhaps it takes its name from a type of bridge over the...
, can be found close to the school. It also has a column topped by a winged horse
Pegasus
Pegasus is one of the best known fantastical as well as mythological creatures in Greek mythology. He is a winged divine horse, usually white in color. He was sired by Poseidon, in his role as horse-god, and foaled by the Gorgon Medusa. He was the brother of Chrysaor, born at a single birthing...
, the emblem of the Queensberry family
Marquess of Queensberry
Marquess of Queensberry is a title in the peerage of Scotland. The title has been held since its creation in 1682 by a member of the Douglas family...
, in the centre of the town.
The school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
,which has recently been rebuilt, gained its name, Wallace Hall Academy
Wallace Hall Academy
Wallace Hall Academy is a secondary school located in Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway in the southwest of Scotland, currently with a roll of over 600 pupils aged from 11 to 65. In 2005 it was awarded the Schools of Ambition award...
, on amalgamation with the nearby Closeburn school of that name. The original Closeburn school was founded in 1723 by John Wallace, a merchant in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
and native of Closeburn
Closeburn, Dumfries and Galloway
Closeburn is a village and civil parish in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The village is on the A76 road south of Thornhill. In the 2001 census, Closeburn had a population of 1,119,...
. Alumni include the golfer Andrew Coltart
Andrew Coltart
Andrew John Coltart is a Scottish professional golfer.-Junior and amateur:Coltart was born in Dumfries. As an amateur, he won the 1987 Scottish Boys Championship and the 1991 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship, and participated in the 1991 Walker Cup.-Professional:Coltart turned...
. Bobby Black
Bobby Black
Bobby Black is a Scottish ex-professional footballer from Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway perhaps best known for his time at East Fife and Queen of the South and was also capped by the Scottish League. Black later was an all England bowls champion...
(Scottish League internationalist and Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
winning footballer and also all England bowls
Bowls
Bowls is a sport in which the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so that they stop close to a smaller "jack" or "kitty". It is played on a pitch which may be flat or convex or uneven...
champion) is also from Thornhill. Colin Peacock, A long serving Scottish International Bowler and Commonwealth Games representative in 2006. Swimmer, Moira Brown represented Scotland in the Commonwealth Games and represented Great Britain in the 1972 Munich Olympics as well as several other internationals.
The Very Reverend Dr James Harkness, first non-Anglican Chaplain-General of the UK Armed Forces and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
in 1995, is from Thornhill.
Thornhill has a bowling green,a golf course and is renowned for the excellent fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
in the nearby River Nith and tributaries.
Thornhill also features a wide variety of retail outlets, such as clothes boutiques, cafes, pubs, food stores, a large pharmacy, an ironmonger, an electrical retailer, gift shops and two hairdressers. The large Victorian post office stands on the north side of the town,along with a Royal Mail
Royal Mail
Royal Mail is the government-owned postal service in the United Kingdom. Royal Mail Holdings plc owns Royal Mail Group Limited, which in turn operates the brands Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide...
sorting office which serves a large rural area. There is also a garage and a small backstreet filling station. The town also has a public library and a cottage hospital. The railway station
Thornhill (Dumfries) railway station
Thornhill is a closed station. It served the country town of Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway. The station site is a mile or so from the town. Four miles north of Thornhill is Drumlanrig Castle, home to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry...
, closed in 1965, is on the old Glasgow and South Western main line from Carlisle
Carlisle railway station
Carlisle railway station, also known as Carlisle Citadel station, is a railway station whichserves the Cumbrian City of Carlisle, England, and is a major station on the West Coast Main Line, lying south of Glasgow Central, and north of London Euston...
and Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
to Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
and Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. Investigations are in progress for its possible reopening. The town is served by several bus services, including the Stagecoach
Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group plc is an international transport group operating buses, trains, trams, express coaches and ferries. The group was founded in 1980 by the current chairman, Sir Brian Souter, his sister, Ann Gloag, and her former husband Robin...
service 246 Dumfries to Ayr and the MacEwans service 102 Dumfries to Edinburgh.
Thornhill sits in the Nith valley in close proximity to ranges of interesting hills on either side, the Carsphairn and Scaur
Carsphairn and Scaur Hills
The Carsphairn and Scaur hills are the western and eastern hills respectively of a hill range in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. Ordnance Survey maps don't have a general name for the hill area as a whole. Also, Ordnance Survey use "Scar" rather than the local spelling of "Scaur" - the word is...
range to the west and the Lowther hills
Lowther Hills
The Lowther Hills, also sometimes known as the Lowthers, are an extensive area of hill country in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, though some sub ranges of hills in this area also go under their own local names - see "Hill Walking" below. They form a roughly rhomboidal or lozenge shape on the map...
to the east. These hills offer excellent possibilities for the outdoor enthusiast.