Image Credit: Thornhill (Kevin Rae) / CC BY-SA 2.0
Thornhill (population c. 1,500) is a picturesque town set in the rolling countryside of Dumfries and Galloway.
However, do not be fooled into thinking that this is a sleepy town! Far from it. In fact, a lot has happened since the early 1800’s when this town really began to take shape.
The town is rich in its own history and continues to keep its name on the map with current events happening right now.
So here are 10 Thornhill related facts to fill your day.
Most of them are to do with all of the famous people they seem to be so good at creating!
Enjoy and feel free to add any more in the comments at the bottom of the article
1. Samuel Wallace
See what we mean? Famous guy number 1 top of the list.
Born in Thornhill, Samuel Wallace fought in the First World War and was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross for gallantry as a result of his bravery and servitude.
Now buried at Moffat Cemetery, his cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum.
This was written about Samuel Wallace in the London Gazette, 13th February 1918
The location of the events referred to in this article is Gonnelieu, France
For most conspicuous bravery and devoted services in action in command of a section. When the personnel of the battery was reduced to five by the fire of the artillery, machine guns, infantry and aeroplane; had lost its commander and five of the sergeants, and was surrounded by enemy infantry on the front right flank, and finally in the rear, he maintained the fire of the guns by swinging the trails round close together, the men running and loading from gun to gun.
He thereby not only covered other battery positions, but also partially assisted some small infantry detachments to maintain a position against great odds. He was in action for eight hours, firing the whole time, and inflicting severe casualties on the enemy. Then owing to the exhausted state of his personnel, he withdrew when infantry supports arrived, taking with him the essential gun parts and all wounded men. His guns were eventually recovered.
Served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, invalided out in 1943.
Samuel Wallace Image Credit: firepower.org.uk
2. Going on a bike ride?
Well, you have Kirkpatrick Macmillan to thank for that! Obviously not personally as he died in 1878 but you know what we mean.
The story goes that Macmillan saw a dandy horse (sometimes referred to a hobby horse, OK let’s say kinda like a hefty balance bike) and decided there and then he was going to make one for himself.
Later, while admiring his finished work, he had the radical idea about somehow propelling it without his feet touching the ground.
Three years later, Macmillan had designed and installed a crank to his machine, turning his “Dandy Horse” into the world’s first pedal cycle.
Now, this velocipede was a massive contraption, being made of wood and iron, and took some mastering!
None the less, he and his invention were able regularly to complete the 14-mile journey to Dumfries in under an hour.
Think about that, 14mph on probably the world’s heaviest ever bike on dirt track lanes – that’s pretty impressive in its self.
3. It’s got a Halo and Angelina Jolie has seen it!
The Halo Trust (Hazardous Area Life-support Organization) have their global headquarters in a converted stable block.
The Trust is a non-political and non-religious registered British charity and American non-profit organisation which removes debris left behind by war, in particular, landmines.
The Halo Trust was founded in 1988 and surged into the media spotlight when Princess Diana visited Angola in 1997 to see a minefield that was being cleared by the charity.
Supporter Angelina Jolie popped into their headquarters in 2011.
Image Credit: By Foreign and Commonwealth Office – CC BY 2.0,
4. School for Geniuses
It just so happens that Thornhill is incredibly good at churning out talent!
Wallace Hall Academy has seen through its doors a mixture of recognised world talent including golfers, singers and musicians!
Including opera singer Nicky Spence, folk musician Claire Hastings and the golfer Andrew Coltart.
5. It’s the King of the Castles!
Because you can’t just have one castle obviously.
In addition to the regularly visited Drumlanrig Castle, a very popular tourist attraction to the area in itself, there is also Morton Castle.
The Castle, now owned by the Duke of Buccleuch, is situated next to an artificial loch in the hills above the Nithsdale area and dates back to as early as the late 13th century.
6. We’ve got to guitar act together
Thornhill, believe it or not, is often the hive of activity.
They host the Thornhill music festival, showing off a whole host of local rock and blues talent. The festival brings out crowds of spectators to all of the venues.
On top of that, on the grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, there is also the Electric Fields Festival! A vibrant music festival happening right here in Thornhill.
It turns out there’s quite a lot going on in this youthful town!
7. Eggtastic
In addition, as if we needed any more famous people, Andy Goldsworthy the environmental artist has used a hill just outside Thornhill to house one of his spectacular sculptures.
The Egg as it’s referred to sits on top of a hill outside Thornhill, sat amongst grazing animals in an attempt to bring together art and nature. Fancy that.
8. We’re under Siege!
No panic. There is no siege. Everything is fine.
However, going back beyond the 16th century, if we were to have been attacked, there are still the remnants of what stood as a hill fort called Tynron Doon.
There is a beautiful walk up the hill for all to go and have a look if you so wished.
Image Credit: Scothill
9. A little taste of Africa
Joseph Thompson was born in Sundial Cottage, Penpont, Thornhill in 1858 and what this man achieved in his 37-year life is simply incredible.
Think of this Dumfries and Galloway giant, a bit like Indiana Jones but without the fisticuffs.
Some of you may already know that the Thompson Gazelle is named after him or that he named Thompson Falls in honour of his father, but not enough people know that this former Thornhill resident has been referred to as Africa’s greatest explorer and undoubtedly, he changed the face of East Africa forever.
He began his adult life as an apprentice in his father’s stonemasonry and quarrying business, but a passion for geology and botany led him to a formal education at the University of Edinburgh.
In 1883, he led a Royal Geological Society expedition, from the east coast of Africa to the north shore of Lake Victoria. Britain and Germany were both driven to explore this territory for a number of reasons one of which was the fact that there may be gold and diamonds that had already been discovered in South Africa. Thompson’s was also tasked to find a trade route for the British Empire.
During this expedition, he was attacked by ferocious animals, negotiated a way through the land of the terrifying Masai warriors (no European had ever passed and lived to tell the tale) trekked 2,000 miles and was in a race with a German counterpart (Dr Gustaf Fisher)
Oh, and did this, most of the way, with Malaria!
We are so flabbergasted about the many incredible events in this man’s life that we are already working on “10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Dumfries and Galloway’s Greatest Explorer: Joseph Thompson.”
10. Skiing in the Alps anyone?
Don’t worry you don’t have to go nearly as far as that!
Confused? Well, nestled away in the Lowther Hills between Wanlockhead and Leadmills, sits Lowther Hills Ski Club!
Family friendly and the only one in the South of Scotland, no longer are we headed for the Cairngorms this winter.
Of all of the activities, you would think would be available to you in South West Scotland,
We’ll bet skiing was not on that list.
So there you have it. 10 things we’re pretty sure you probably didn’t know about Thornhill.
Do not underestimate those seemingly quiet sleepy countryside towns. There could be more to them than you first thought.
Who knows what other hidden gems are out there?
