Time: 2 hours
Start and finish: Kilngreen car park on the side of the river Esk, north of Langholm
RICH in history, Langholm has been home to many famous sons, including Thomas Telford, the famous civil engin
eer; William Julius Mickle; and Hugh MacDiarmid, Scotland's greatest poet of modern times, to whom a memorial by sculptor Jake Harvey was erected on Whita Hill in 1988.
Today the main road running west from Langholm Bridge is called Thomas Telford Road.
Telford was born nearby in 1757 and apprenticed in Langholm as a mason, before going on to transform much of Scotland with his roads, canals, harbours and churches.
Telford's local origins can be seen in both the name of a road and the form of a small length of wall opposite the old library that backs onto the town hall. This wall was made as an apprentice piece by Telford during his training in the town.
On the hillside overlooking Langholm to the east are two monuments. The obelisk of the Malcolm Monument is a memorial to Sir John Malcolm, who died in 1833.
Langholm's history over the past 300 years has been one of varying industrial fortunes, coupled with its role as an important rural centre. Woollen mills, as in most of the Border towns, became a major feature of the town, and cotton manufacturing, two distilleries and a brewery all at various times played a part.
Cross the bridge over Ewes Water, which you can see from the car park. At the Y-junction by the sawmill, bear left through the gate pillars and past the lodge. Continue along the estate drive, bordered by fine beech trees.
At the Y-junction for Langholm Lodge, keep to the main drive and you will reach Holmhead. Pass to the left of the steading, but don't take the left fork. Continue past North Lodge and on through a gate, keeping to the main woodland track. Continue north through the woods for 0.6 miles, emerging into a clear-felled area with the Esk below and Potholm Farm visible ahead. Fork left down to the farm; keep right of the house and a T-junction, and turn sharp right on a track that climbs steadily. Turn left with this track, go over a stile and turn right to follow the line of the fence, aiming for the saddle between Wrae Hill and Potholm Hill.
Just below the ridge, turn right over the stile and follow the track to the next stile. Continue upward, with the grassed-over remains of a dyke to your left. Cross over this green line and continue towards the summit, with the tumbledown wall now on your right.
On a clear day Potholm Hill affords excellent views, including 18 ancient forts and settlements. Follow the dyke off Potholm Hill, climb the ladder stile and continue with a sturdy wall on your left. When the wall turns sharp left, keep straight ahead, just off the ridge on a faint path, to the summit of Castle Hill.
Many other nearby hills are clearly visible, with the monument on Whita Hill across the valley standing proud. As you start to descend through scattered thorn trees, a wonderful view of Langholm opens out.
This is the area where you may find cattle. Walk quietly and steadily and they will move away from you. They may include the distinctive Belted Galloways with their broad white band. They are a hardy breed that originated on the exposed uplands of Galloway.
Descend the hillside aiming for Langholm and pass through scattered thorn trees. When you reach a rough track, follow it to a gate and ladder stile. Continue downhill to join the road passing Pathhead and winding down to the river plain. Pass the sawmill to reach Ewes Bridge, which crosses the Esk just above the car park.
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www.visitscotland.com/walking
The full article contains 661 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
