Annan
Annan is a town in Dumfries and Galloway. It is a short distance inland from the Solway Firth situated between Dumfries (16-miles) and Gretna (8.5-miles).
Understand
The Royal Burgh of Annan is the principal town of Annandale and Eskdale and the third largest in Dumfries and Galloway, south west Scotland. Annan is on the River Annan about a mile from its mouth which is on the Solway Firth.
It does seem to be currently undergoing a bit of a revival if the high street is anything to go by; new shops, bars and restaurants are opening and the once abandoned shop fronts are taking on new life.
Get in
By car
Annan is by-passed to the north by the A75 Carlisle to Stranraer trunk road with links into the town at either end. The A75 joins the A74(M) motorway near Gretna, the A74(M) then merges into the M6 at the Scotland/England border.
By train
Scotrail run a sparse service (a train every 2-hours in each direction and less on Sundays) from Glasgow Central to Carlisle via Dumfries and Kilmarnock that calls at Annan. Some trains carry onto to Newcastle upon Tyne via Hexham. Trains take just over 2-hours to Glasgow, 15-minutes to Dumfries and 20-minutes to Carlisle. Additional trains run between Dumfries and Carlisle at peak times.
If travelling to Glasgow or Edinburgh it can be quicker (although usually more expensive) to drive to Carlisle or Lockerbie and catch one of the faster trains running along the West Coast Main Line.
By bus
Stagecoach run most local buses and the longer distance buses to and from Dumfries and Carlisle. The bus station is off Butts Street to the north of High Street.
By bicycle
National Cycle Route 7 on its way from Inverness to Sunderland passes through Annan; a new bridge over the river has been built to carry it to the south of the town.
Get around
The town is fairly compact and can be explored on foot. However, if you wish to explore the surrounding area public transport is not very good and a car or bicycle is required.
See
- Anthorn Radio Station. Look across the Solway Firth after dark to see the distinctive red lights on the radio masts. Powfoot is a good place from which to see this phenomenon.
- Riding of the Marches. The Marches or boundaries of Annan have been ridden since the town was created a Royal Burgh more than 600 years ago. Each year in early July more than one hundred horsemen and horsewomen Ride the Marches to ensure that the landmarks, cairns and other features have not been removed or tampered with.
Do
- 1 Annan Museum, Bank Street, Annan, ☏ +44 1461 201384, annan.museum@dumgal.gov.uk. The Annan Museum houses a permanent exhibition on the history of Annan. This is a fascinating walk through time from the prehistoric period right up to the first world war with interactives and children’s activities.
- 2 Annan Athletic Football Club, Galabank, North Street, Annan (About 1/2-mile north of the town on the banks above the river), ☏ +44 1461 204108. Currently in the 2nd Division of the Scottish Football League. In season 2012/3 Annan were the only team to beat Rangers home and away.
- 3 Devil's Porridge Exhibition, Near Stanfield Farm, Annan Road, Eastriggs, DG12 6TF (About 3-miles to east of Annan on B721), ☏ +44 1461 700021, devils-porridge@tiscali.co.uk. Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm; Sundays 10am-4pm. Excellent privately run exhibition on the history of the local munitions industry. Now in new location £5.00.
- 4 Powfoot Golf Course, Cummertrees, Annan, DG12 5QE, ☏ +44 1461 204100. 18-hole course half links half parkland, designed by the legendary James Braid in 1903 the course offers a superb test of golf with its many challenging holes which are set among whins and rough and has earned Powfoot the tag of 'one of golf's best kept secrets'
- Historic Walk of Annan. Print off you own walking tour of Annan
- River Annan Walk, Battery Street, Annan (Head down the street by the side of The Blue Bell Inn). Walk up the east side of the river and back down the west side. You can walk up to Brydekirk (about 6-miles round trip) or cross at the second footbridge (about 4-miles) or at the first bridge, just short of the A75 viaduct (about 2-miles)
- 5 Prozone Paintball, Broom Farm Estate, Newbie, DG12 5PF (Off B724 about a mile west of Annan), ☏ +44 800 458 3546. Paintball and lazer combat arena
- 6 Broom Fisheries, Broom Farm Estate, Newbie, DG12 5PF (Off B724 about a mile west of Annan), ☏ +44 1461 700386, info@broomfisheries.co.uk. Five waters dedicated to coarse and match fishing, together with a fully stocked tackle shop, caravan & camping site, toilets and ample parking adjacent to the waters.
- 7 Farmers Den, Lady Street Annan, DG12 5DA, ☏ +44 1461 206010. A young kids soft play activity centre in Annan
- 8 Annandale Distillery, Northfield, Annan, DG12 5LL (Drive passed Annan Football ground (Galabank) and take a drive on your left.), ☏ +44 1461 207817, info@annandaledistillery.com. New distillery which gives guided tours. Also a shop and restaurant
Buy
Annan is not a location for retail therapy but provides all the needs of its locals with both local independent shops and supermarkets.
Eat
- 1 Cafe Royal, 95 High St, DG12 6DJ, ☏ +44 1461 202865. 08:00 - 20:00. Fish & Chips, sit in and takeaway. It is family run. Closes relatively early, don't expect it to be open when you leave the pub.
- 2 The Corner House Hotel - Coffee Lounge Bar, 78 High Street, DG12 6DL, ☏ +44 1461 202754, bookings@thecornerhousehotel.com. 8AM - 11PM. Freshly made coffee, homemade soups and light meals. £1- £10.
- 3 Del Amitri Restaurant, 95A High St (Above the Cafe Royal, entrance down the side), ☏ +44 1461 201999. Closed in late March 2016, is reopening in Powfoot in mid-May 2016
- 4 Megano's Pizzeria Ristorante, 47 High Street, DG12 6AD, ☏ +44 1461 758212. Good Italian restaurant that has recently relocated from above the Queensbury Arms Hotel to adjacent to it. Also does wholesome, well priced breakfasts.
- 5 The Lounge, 116 High Street, ☏ +44 1461 202688. Pleasant place for a coffee break or breakfast.
Drink
- 1 The Anglers, 61 High Street, Annan, DG12 6AD, ☏ +44 1461 206588, info@theanglers-annan.com. Cocktail and sports bar. Also tea room and coffee shop
- 2 The Blue Bell Inn, 10 High Street, Annan (adjacent to the River Annan bridge), ☏ +44 1461 202385. Traditional pub with Robert Burns' quotes on the walls; ever changing selection of real ales; sports shown. Holds a popular Beer Festival on the weekend of the English August Bank Holiday
- 3 The Farmers Inn, Main Street, Clarencefield (on B724 approx 5-miles west of Annan), ☏ +44 1387 870675. Serves real ale, also does accommodation and meals. Interestingly it doubles up as the village Post Office.
- 4 The Shed, 7 Lady Street, Annan, DG12 5DA (Located just off the main Annan High Street at the top of Lady Street). Sports bar and more including live music, disco and karaoke
Sleep
- 1 The Corner House Hotel, 78 High Street Annan DG12 6DL (In the centre of town, on the corner of Lady Street and the High Street), ☏ +44 1461 202754, bookings@thecornerhousehotel.com. With 18 en-suite rooms, it provides accommodation with a warm welcome for visitors to the town: free wifi available in the coffee, lounge bar. On-site car parking, with CCTV system Rooms From £32.
- 2 The Farmers Inn, Main Street, Clarencefield (on B724 approx 5-miles west of Annan), ☏ +44 1387 870675. Accommodation in lodge at rear of the Inn.
- 3 Firth Hotel, 41 Scotts Street, Annan DG12 6JE (on B721 to east of town centre), ☏ +44 1461 202302, thefirthhotel@gmail.com. Family run B&B and licensed bar.
- 4 Hoddom Castle (About 5-miles north on B723 from Annan), ☏ +44 1576 300251, enquiries@hoddomcastle.co.uk. Caravanning, camping, fishing, golfing, walking, children's play area
- 5 Queensbury Arms Hotel, 47 High St, Annan (On main street opposite the war memorial), ☏ +44 1461 202024.
Connect
- Annan on-line. On-line guide and community