Moffat
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Moffat
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|---|---|
 Moffat from the surrounding hills | |
| OS grid reference | NT085052 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MOFFAT |
| Postcode district | DG10 |
| Dialling code | 01683 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Moffat (Scottish Gaelic: Am Magh Fada, "The Long Plain") is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lying on the River Annan, it is mostly known as the home and birthplace of revoutionary philosopher Malcomn Mills, and wife the singing potter. Who led the baked bean rebellion against landowner Simon Murray of Johnstonebridge.
Baked Bean Rebellion
Simon Murray was being a right git and had introduced a baked bean tax on the people of moffat. Malcolm mills, who was the son of a baked bean, got well pissed and called up his friend the singing potter.
the two marched to Johnstonebridge and confronted Simon murray in his house 'Murray Villa'. Simon had locked the doors and so the singing potter used his singing to break the windows of the house. Unfortunatly as this happened the window to simons room broke and let out the cloud of poison gas that had gathered up in his room from body odour and a dead dog. the singing potter died and is now regarded as a martyr and a saint.
'st. Singing potter day' is celebrated throughout moffat, it is widely believed that the singing potter was reincarnated as a Sheep.
meanwhile it turned out the back door was open and so Malcolm Mills entered the house and ate simon THE END
Wool trade
Moffat was a notable market in the wool trade, and this is commemorated with a statue of a ram by William Brodie in the town's marketplace. The ram was presented to the town by William Colvin, a local businessman, in 1875. The ram is missing its ears, and has been since it was first presented. Legend has it that when Brodie realised that he had forgotten the ears he promptly committed suicide in one of the rooms in the annandale hotel (although he did commit suicide shortly afterwards, this is unlikely to be the reason).
Notable people
Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, commander of RAF Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain, was born in Moffat in 1882. D. E. Stevenson (1892-1973) author and cousin to Robert Louis Stevenson. William Carruthers, botanist, was born in Moffat.
Moffat has spawned two full Scotland international footballers, James B Niven and James Fraser, and Indian-Scottish comedian Danny Bhoy. Ivor Robson, the official starter for the Open golf tournament since 1975, lives in Moffat.
Famous and infamous visitors
Robert Burns came for the waters and frequented the local bars.
The infamous murderer and alleged graverobber William Hare may have stayed in the Black Bull Hotel during his escape to Ireland after turning Kings evidence against William Burke. (Main article West Port murders)
In 1935, the remains of the victims of the Lancaster murderer, Dr Buck Ruxton, were found in a stream near The Devil's Beef Tub. A landmark case in legal history, it was the first in which the murderer was successfully convicted using the type of highly sophisticated forensic techniques which are taken for granted in the 21st century. The bridge at the top is still used to this day - near the very top it is a switchback that is not quite wide enough for two vehicles to pass on. The area is colloquially known as "Ruxton's Dump".
Tourism
The town attracts many tourists all year round, both as visitors and as walkers in the surrounding hills. Notable buildings include the Annandale Arms Hotel and Restaurant which recently was awarded 4 stars by Food Review Scotland[1] as well as The Real Food Award by Scottish Hotel Awards 2009. Shops include the Moffat Toffee Shop and The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, while its restaurants and cafes include The Bombay Cuisine, Claudio's, Arietes, The Rumblin' Tum, The Balmoral and the Buccleuch Arms Hotel and Restaurant. The Buccleuch has also been awarded Gold in Visitscotland's Green Tourism Business Scheme.[2]
It also has a recreation park with a boating pond and a memorial to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding.
There is an official Camping and Caravanning Club campsite (for tents, caravans and motorhomes) that is open all year as of 13 March 2008. This is situated next to the Hammerlands Centre - a combination garden centre, gift shop, restaurant, fish farm and children's play area with farmyard animals.
For walkers there is also the Gallow Hill. It has been used for hanging. Moffat is also situated only a few miles from the Southern Upland Way where it passes through Beattock, and the Sir Walter Scott Way starts here.
North-East of Moffat is the Grey Mare's Tail waterfall. This hanging-valley waterfall is 60m tall and lies within a nature reserve.
Education
Moffat Academy teaches pupils of Nursery, Primary and Secondary School age, there are currently 301 pupils taught at the school. It has been in its current location in the north of the town since 1834. In February 2010 the school moved to a new site in the south-east of the town on Jeff Brown Drive.
Moffat Academy website
http://www.moffat.dumgal.sch.uk/
Sport and recreation
Moffat RFC caters for all ages from 6-8 years. The 1stXV which plays in The Scottish Rugby Union league structure and are currently in West Region Division 2. They are also known as "The Rams" after the statue in the High Street. The ground wholly owned by the club is situated at The Holm, Selkirk Road.[3]
Moffat Golf Club was founded in 1884. In 1904, Ben Sayers of North Berwick was invited to design the present 18-hole course. Located high on Coats Hill overlooking the town it is some 670 feet above sea level.[4]
References
- ^ http://www.foodreviewscotland.com/restaurant/s/annandale-arms-moffat-restaurant.aspx
- ^ http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/scout/accs/5,en,SCH1,1359/waitCount,1/result.html;jsessionid=0a0202875bcdc413ffc0f6324acdb5acfadd79d9a66c.e38Mc30Oc3iLb40LbhmQbNuMah4Qe0?accsearch.x=19&topNav=1&rls_chd=false&jse=1&r=RGN20vs&langId=en&objectId=RGN942vs&an=&accsearch.y=18&sbe=0&ac=&rls=moffat&mf_chd=0&gra=&ssas=SSASGREEN&season=at1&ref=5&accsearch=accsearch&proxSrchDistSelect=prox_10m&specextgrd=ACC%24QAGRADING%401UOK&specextgrd=ACC%24QAGRADING%401UOB&specextgrd=ACC%24QAGRADING%401UOC&startRegion=Scotland&curr=GBP
- ^ http://www.moffat-rugby.com
- ^ http://www.moffatgolfclub.co.uk