March 2017 | 163
Eskdalemuir ( moor of the valley of the River Esk ) is a rural district and small village in Dumfries and Galloway , Scotland . Settlement is generally located near to , or by one of the many tributaries of the Black Esk and White Esk rivers . Eskdalemuir is best-known for the nearby Eskdalemuir weather station and for the Samye Ling Tibetan Buddhist Monastery . Eskdalemuir is rich in archaeological remains , including two Neolithic stone circles and a bank barrow , Castle O ' er , a possible ritual centre for the Selgovae , Raeburnfoot , a Roman fort and later Dark Age fortifications and settlements . Eskdalemuir holds the UK Weather Record for the highest rainfall in a 30 minute period . 80mm fell during such a period on 26 June 1953 ( Met Office article ). But don ’ t let that put you off making this your destination of choice to the beautiful , tranquil Eskdale valley . We have many forest tracks , quiet country roads and picturesque paths for walking and cycling .
The Eskdalemuir Community Hub is situated in the village of Eskdalemuir with a babbling brook running alongside and ample parking for bikes and vehicle ’ s . The Hub was developed from the former primary school which closed in the Summer of 2007 due to the decline in pupil numbers . With the help of the Big Lottery , the community pulled together to plan , renovate and build a multipurpose Community Hub , Café , Bar and shop to serve the local community and tourist population . The Café is open 7 days per week and Friday and Saturday evenings . We have meeting rooms to hire for functions , meetings , arts and crafts groups , Art Exhibitions every month plus a small shop stocked with daily basics . There are many accommodation providers in the area from holiday cottages to bed and breakfasts to bothy ’ s scattered around the countryside walks .
We are very popular with cyclists and motorbikes , we have hosted the well-known LEL cycle race and are due to host it again this Summer for 3 days where over 14,000 cyclist will take over the whole building on route to Edinburgh . The B709 is known as one of the quietest and most picturesque route from Carlisle in Cumbria to Edinburgh via the Scottish Borders and we are situated alongside it .
Many cyclists travel the circular routes from Langholm – 13 miles north west up one side of the valley via Castle ‘ Oer and back down the other side of the river making a 26 mile round trip . We are 14 miles north east of Lockerbie and the M74 so easy access from the Motorway .
You can find us on social media – facebook : Eskdalemuir Community Hub and old School Café , Twitter - @ EskdalemuirHub and www . eskdalemuir . com plus we are listed on trip advisor and soon to be listed on Visit Scotland .