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Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace

Heritage Site in Dumfriesshire

Scotland

Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace

Bridge over A74(M)
Bridge over A74(M) Credit: Alpin Stewart

Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace is a significant heritage site located in Ecclefechan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. This humble cottage is where the renowned philosopher, historian, and writer Thomas Carlyle was born on December 4, 1795. The site holds immense historical and cultural value as it sheds light on Carlyle's early life and the influences that shaped his intellectual development.

The birthplace cottage is a small, single-story building constructed with traditional Scottish stone. It reflects the simple rural architecture of the 18th century, providing visitors with a glimpse into the conditions in which Carlyle spent his formative years. The interior has been carefully restored to recreate the atmosphere of a typical Scottish cottage of that era, with period furniture and artifacts on display.

Visitors to Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace can explore the various rooms, including the parlor, kitchen, and Carlyle's childhood bedroom. The exhibition within the cottage houses a collection of Carlyle's personal belongings, original manuscripts, and correspondence. These artifacts provide insights into his literary works, political ideologies, and his interactions with prominent figures of his time.

The surrounding gardens are beautifully landscaped, offering a peaceful and picturesque setting. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the grounds, enjoying the vibrant flowers and well-maintained pathways. The gardens also feature a statue of Carlyle, paying homage to the influential thinker and his enduring legacy.

Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace remains a significant site for literature enthusiasts, historians, and anyone seeking to understand the life and works of this esteemed Scottish writer. It provides an immersive experience, allowing visitors to connect with Carlyle's early years and the foundations of his influential ideas.

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Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.059/-3.264 or Grid Reference NY1974. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bridge over A74(M)
Bridge over A74(M)
Trig point on Brownmoor Hill Trig point on Brownmoor Hill hidden away amongst the trees.
Trig point on Brownmoor Hill
Trig point on Brownmoor Hill hidden away amongst the trees.
Brownmoor Woods Footpath The start of the Brownmoor Woods footpath.
Brownmoor Woods Footpath
The start of the Brownmoor Woods footpath.
Ecclefechan Rifle Range The remains of the target area for the old rifle range at Ecclefechan.
Ecclefechan Rifle Range
The remains of the target area for the old rifle range at Ecclefechan.
Overbridge, A74(M) The A74(M) & M74 run over 80 miles from the M6 at the Scottish border near Gretna to the M8 at Glasgow. This is one of the two most important routeways into Scotland from the south. The last stretch of the M74 opened in 2011 (see <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/590" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/snippet/590">Link</a> ). Wikipedia: <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A74(M)_and_M74_motorways" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A74(M)_and_M74_motorways">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span>
Overbridge, A74(M)
The A74(M) & M74 run over 80 miles from the M6 at the Scottish border near Gretna to the M8 at Glasgow. This is one of the two most important routeways into Scotland from the south. The last stretch of the M74 opened in 2011 (see Link ). Wikipedia: LinkExternal link
B725 towards Dalton
B725 towards Dalton
Ecclefechan Ecclefechan is a small village in Dumfries and Galloway, the birthplace of Thomas Carlysle
Ecclefechan
Ecclefechan is a small village in Dumfries and Galloway, the birthplace of Thomas Carlysle
Johnstonebank Farm Viewed across the field from the A74(M)
Johnstonebank Farm
Viewed across the field from the A74(M)
2 Church Street, Ecclefechan Category B Listed cottage with lintel marked 'JH 1778'. The property has been extended both to the north and south. The extension to the north was previously a derelict commercial garage (possibly a former barn) and was converted to living accommodation in September 2020. The southern extension is of much earlier date.
2 Church Street, Ecclefechan
Category B Listed cottage with lintel marked 'JH 1778'. The property has been extended both to the north and south. The extension to the north was previously a derelict commercial garage (possibly a former barn) and was converted to living accommodation in September 2020. The southern extension is of much earlier date.
Hoddom Court, sheltered housing, Academy Street, Ecclefechan The 1875 tower is the remaining part of a Category C Listed, earlier 19th century, L-plan school now enclosed by modern sheltered housing. Hoddom Court comprises 11 flats built in 1988.
Hoddom Court, sheltered housing, Academy Street, Ecclefechan
The 1875 tower is the remaining part of a Category C Listed, earlier 19th century, L-plan school now enclosed by modern sheltered housing. Hoddom Court comprises 11 flats built in 1988.
Johnstone United Presbyterian Church, B7076, Ecclefechan Category B Listed former church built in 1864-6; the architect was James Barbour (1834-1912). It became the parish church following destruction by fire of old parish church in 1975. Now a private 4 bedroom dwelling known as Church House and attached Caretakers House, planning approved conversion in 2018. The United Presbyterian Church was established in Ecclefechan in 1748 and after conducting services in the open air, a thatch-covered church was opened in 1766 (off Hall Road) and used until this church opened.
Johnstone United Presbyterian Church, B7076, Ecclefechan
Category B Listed former church built in 1864-6; the architect was James Barbour (1834-1912). It became the parish church following destruction by fire of old parish church in 1975. Now a private 4 bedroom dwelling known as Church House and attached Caretakers House, planning approved conversion in 2018. The United Presbyterian Church was established in Ecclefechan in 1748 and after conducting services in the open air, a thatch-covered church was opened in 1766 (off Hall Road) and used until this church opened.
Ecclefechan Hotel, High Street, Ecclefechan Category C Listed late 18th century inn, altered in the late 19th century. The hotel's website claims the building dates to the 1730s. Refurbished in 2005 the hotel seems to have closed recently and looks to have been on the market for a couple of years. A search of my few directories suggests the hotel may have been called the Bush Hotel, here are the results; 1825 no inn/pub names given; 1837 only vintners listed are Bush Inn, Globe Inn, Ewe & Lamb, Blue Bell; 1861 only vintners listed are Commercial & Globe; 1878-1886 only vintners listed are Bush, Commercial & Globe; 1903 establishments listed are Bush Hotel & Commercial Hotel.
Ecclefechan Hotel, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category C Listed late 18th century inn, altered in the late 19th century. The hotel's website claims the building dates to the 1730s. Refurbished in 2005 the hotel seems to have closed recently and looks to have been on the market for a couple of years. A search of my few directories suggests the hotel may have been called the Bush Hotel, here are the results; 1825 no inn/pub names given; 1837 only vintners listed are Bush Inn, Globe Inn, Ewe & Lamb, Blue Bell; 1861 only vintners listed are Commercial & Globe; 1878-1886 only vintners listed are Bush, Commercial & Globe; 1903 establishments listed are Bush Hotel & Commercial Hotel.
Globe House, High Street, Ecclefechan Category C Listed early 19th century former inn, described in the listing as including Watson's shop. The Globe Inn is listed in my directories in 1837, 1861, 1878 and 1886 but my 1903 directory doesn't include it. The front and middle sections are stone built suggesting the original footprint of the inn, with the rear brick sections a later addition. Between at least 1995 and 2006 the building was vacant and in 2005 planning had been granted for change of use to the former shop (Watson's?) and store to form a flat. In 2010 there appears to have been 3 flats here with a hairdressers in the ground floor shop and in the August, retrospective planning was approved for a shop and 3 flats. The shop seems currently unoccupied.
Globe House, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category C Listed early 19th century former inn, described in the listing as including Watson's shop. The Globe Inn is listed in my directories in 1837, 1861, 1878 and 1886 but my 1903 directory doesn't include it. The front and middle sections are stone built suggesting the original footprint of the inn, with the rear brick sections a later addition. Between at least 1995 and 2006 the building was vacant and in 2005 planning had been granted for change of use to the former shop (Watson's?) and store to form a flat. In 2010 there appears to have been 3 flats here with a hairdressers in the ground floor shop and in the August, retrospective planning was approved for a shop and 3 flats. The shop seems currently unoccupied.
1 and 2 Garthwaite Place, High Street, Ecclefechan Category C Listed pair of mid 19th century houses with shop. Three bedroom no.1 was sold in 2014 and since that time, the Garthwaite name above the shop front has been uncovered. The listing describes them as 'not all one build' but in view of the name over the shop, presumably both built by the Garthwaite's as a shop with accommodation and a second house. I had a search of my few directories for Garthwaite and found; 1825 not listed; 1837 John & Thomas, both tailors; 1861 not listed; 1878 Thomas, drapers, Thomas & Sons tailors; 1886 Thomas, drapers/tailor; 1903 John & Thomas, both tailors. I assume the 1903 John is Thomas' son, not the same as the 1837 John. A 66 year working life for one Thomas also seems unlikely. Can we infer from this that a Thomas Garthwaite built no.1 at least as a drapers?
1 and 2 Garthwaite Place, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category C Listed pair of mid 19th century houses with shop. Three bedroom no.1 was sold in 2014 and since that time, the Garthwaite name above the shop front has been uncovered. The listing describes them as 'not all one build' but in view of the name over the shop, presumably both built by the Garthwaite's as a shop with accommodation and a second house. I had a search of my few directories for Garthwaite and found; 1825 not listed; 1837 John & Thomas, both tailors; 1861 not listed; 1878 Thomas, drapers, Thomas & Sons tailors; 1886 Thomas, drapers/tailor; 1903 John & Thomas, both tailors. I assume the 1903 John is Thomas' son, not the same as the 1837 John. A 66 year working life for one Thomas also seems unlikely. Can we infer from this that a Thomas Garthwaite built no.1 at least as a drapers?
Bramley House, High Street, Ecclefechan Category B Listed house and former post office built about 1780-1800. The 1898 OS map shows it in use as a Post Office and there is a void for a post-box on the east flank of the building. The shop front may be a mid to late 19th century alteration. All the four roof slopes were replaced in 2011-12, the front slope re-using salvaged slates from all four slopes.
Bramley House, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category B Listed house and former post office built about 1780-1800. The 1898 OS map shows it in use as a Post Office and there is a void for a post-box on the east flank of the building. The shop front may be a mid to late 19th century alteration. All the four roof slopes were replaced in 2011-12, the front slope re-using salvaged slates from all four slopes.
Carlyle House, High Street, Ecclefechan Category B Listed late 18th early 19th century house. Previously resplendent in black and white with a smart B&B sign it is now more sober.
Carlyle House, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category B Listed late 18th early 19th century house. Previously resplendent in black and white with a smart B&B sign it is now more sober.
Cottage, Carlyle Place, High Street, Ecclefechan Category B Listed cottage, listed as Mr R Telfer. The elaborately carved lintel has a date of 1749 and early 20th century photographs shows the present door and the one under the lintel in use. That would suggest it was two dwellings into the 20th century. The right hand chimney was presumably extended when the adjoining property was built.
Cottage, Carlyle Place, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category B Listed cottage, listed as Mr R Telfer. The elaborately carved lintel has a date of 1749 and early 20th century photographs shows the present door and the one under the lintel in use. That would suggest it was two dwellings into the 20th century. The right hand chimney was presumably extended when the adjoining property was built.
Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace, The Arched House, Carlyle Place, High Street, Ecclefechan Category A listed pair of houses, the right house the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881). The houses were built by Thomas’ father and Uncle, both stonemasons, and finished 5 years before his birth in 1790. The House has been open to the public since a month after Carlyle’s death in 1881 leaving the property relatively untouched and unmodernised. The full height rear wing to Carlyle's house is now the caretaker's house added/heightened in 19th century and extended one bay in 20th century.
Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace, The Arched House, Carlyle Place, High Street, Ecclefechan
Category A listed pair of houses, the right house the birthplace of Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881). The houses were built by Thomas’ father and Uncle, both stonemasons, and finished 5 years before his birth in 1790. The House has been open to the public since a month after Carlyle’s death in 1881 leaving the property relatively untouched and unmodernised. The full height rear wing to Carlyle's house is now the caretaker's house added/heightened in 19th century and extended one bay in 20th century.
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Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace is located at Grid Ref: NY1974 (Lat: 55.059, Lng: -3.264)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

What 3 Words

///stowing.energy.shoppers. Near Annan, Dumfries & Galloway

Nearby Locations

Ecclefechan Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.059,-3.264
Ecclefechan
Loc Name: The Fechan
Name En: Ecclefechan
Name Gd: Eaglais Fheichin
Place: village
Population: 821
Wikidata: Q1015818
Wikipedia: en:Ecclefechan
Lat/Long: 55.0596882/-3.2649595
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Post Box
Postal Code: DG11
Ref: DG11 40
Lat/Long: 55.0579474/-3.2594285
OpenStreetMap
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Post Box
Ref: DG11 39
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 55.0594225/-3.2666065
OpenStreetMap
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Bus Stop
Village
Naptan AtcoCode: 680000237111
Naptan Bearing: NW
Naptan CommonName: Village
Naptan Indicator: Post Office
Naptan Landmark: Church Street
Naptan NaptanCode: 34237452
Naptan Notes: none
Naptan Street: High Street
Shelter: no
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 55.0595854/-3.264826
OpenStreetMap
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Bus Stop
Village
Naptan AtcoCode: 680000237222
Naptan Bearing: SE
Naptan CommonName: Village
Naptan Indicator: Toilets
Naptan Landmark: Church Street
Naptan NaptanCode: 34237439
Naptan Notes: none
Naptan Street: High Street
Shelter: yes
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 55.0596763/-3.2647192
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Thomas Carlyle statue
Artist Name: Joseph Edgar Boehm
Historic: memorial
Memorial: statue
Source: survey
Lat/Long: 55.0615372/-3.2696854
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Power: tower
Lat/Long: 55.0576814/-3.2709777
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Motorway Junction
Ecclefechan Interchange
Ref: 19
Lat/Long: 55.0629898/-3.2629548
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Premier
Brand: Premier
Brand Wikidata: Q7240340
Opening Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-20:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Shop: convenience
Website: https://www.premier-stores.co.uk/our-stores/tennant-house
Lat/Long: 55.0596204/-3.2651675
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Bus Stop
Bus: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 680000237501
Naptan NaptanCode: 34239273
Public Transport: platform
Lat/Long: 55.0579279/-3.2593797
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Alice's Salon
Contact Mobile: 01576 300 726
Opening Hours: "call us"
Shop: hairdresser
Lat/Long: 55.0599946/-3.2656836
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Costcutter
Brand: Costcutter
Brand Wikidata: Q5175072
Shop: convenience
Lat/Long: 55.0603109/-3.2669112
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Power: tower
Lat/Long: 55.0555953/-3.2678327
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Kindergarten
Hoddom Nursery
Lat/Long: 55.0608888/-3.2626015
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0599768/-3.2622312
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0605373/-3.2592842
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0606496/-3.2575112
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stop
Direction: backward
Stop: minor
Lat/Long: 55.059177/-3.2658494
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stop
Direction: backward
Stop: minor
Lat/Long: 55.0591197/-3.2659047
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stop
Direction: backward
Stop: minor
Lat/Long: 55.0614327/-3.2699153
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Post Office
Ecclefechan Post Office
Addr City: Lockerbie
Addr Country: GB
Addr Housename: Ecclefechan Community Centre
Addr Postcode: DG11 3DF
Addr Street: High Street
Addr Village: Ecclefechan
Brand: Post Office
Brand Wikidata: Q1783168
Check Date: 2022-05-27
Check Date Opening Hours: 2022‑05‑27
Opening Hours: Mo,Tu 10:00-13:00; Th 11:30-14:30
Ref Pol Id: 97787
Lat/Long: 55.0605633/-3.2664031
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0627449/-3.2674306
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0546593/-3.2636272
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0553764/-3.263416
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.05612/-3.2632125
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0568666/-3.2630038
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0576072/-3.2628081
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0583464/-3.2625891
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0572959/-3.2620301
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0570436/-3.2613887
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0603623/-3.2602039
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0596595/-3.2596551
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0590856/-3.2591992
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0584571/-3.2576484
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0581295/-3.2568756
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0601797/-3.2611642
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0607787/-3.2569387
OpenStreetMap
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Power: pole
Lat/Long: 55.0613206/-3.2572827
OpenStreetMap
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Post Box
Operator: Royal Mail
Post Box Mounting: pier
Post Box Type: lamp
Ref: DG11 98
Royal Cypher: scottish_crown
Lat/Long: 55.0596279/-3.2650678
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Ecclefechan War Memorial
Historic: memorial
Inscription: To the Glorious Dead - In honour and appreciation of the men of Hoddam Parish who fell in the Great War "Thine Name Liveth Everymore"
Material: stone
Memorial: war_memorial
Wikidata: Q114168372
Lat/Long: 55.0586715/-3.2662057
OpenStreetMap
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The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
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