The fort on Beattock Hill stands on a hilltop, overlooking the Annan Valley to the east. Historic buildings point to stagecoach travel, road connections, food storage and residential use. Routes range from a link between Carlisle and Glasgow to a circular walk in Craigielands Wood. If you are looking for accommodation in Beattock, you can plan your stay around the landscape, building history or outdoor activities.
Hill and valley
The fort stands on the hilltop in pastureland, at about 260 m above sea level. From there, it overlooks the Annan Valley to the east. The hilltop and valley view provide a clear sense of the landscape: the site is elevated, while the view faces east towards the valley. The approximate elevation and direction of the view are two specific reference points for understanding the landscape.
Routes in different forms
National Cycle Route 74 runs between Carlisle and Glasgow and passes the A701 near Beattock. In Craigielands Wood, you can take a circular route along small paths, a farm track and the road. This sets a connection between two cities alongside a circuit that uses different types of route. When choosing, bear in mind that a city-to-city connection and a circular route are different kinds of journey.
Near Beattock, the Romans and Reivers Route connects directly with the Annandale Way. The Romans and Reivers Route offers walking, cycling and horse riding through the Southern Uplands; the Annandale Way follows the River Annan from its source to the sea. This places a variety of activities alongside the course of a river as two different ways to orient your journey.
Historic buildings and their functions
The Old Brig Inn was built in 1821 as a coaching inn. The former Beattock Inn was established in connection with the Glasgow/Carlisle road. Together, they represent a historic link with stagecoach travel and a connection to a road.
Craigielands Ice House is probably a barrel-vaulted stone chamber dating from the early 19th century. It made it possible to keep the estate’s food supplies fresh for a long time. This highlights a different historic purpose from that of inns and houses: supplying an estate. A barrel vault is a curved ceiling extending lengthwise.
The former stationmaster’s house in Beattock dates from the mid-19th century. Beattock House is a picturesque two-storey villa with timber-decorated gables and crow-stepped dormers. The examples have different emphases: the former house is distinguished by its date, while the gables and dormers shape the architectural impression of the villa.
Discover more destinations: Kirkcudbright, Kirkgunzeon, Twynholm, Palnackie, Dalbeattie, New Luce, Ruthwell, Ecclefechan
For the regional travel overview: Dumfries And Galloway.
