Much has been written about Moffat over the years and two books in particular give an interesting insight into how Moffat became the popular tourist town it is today.
For instance, according to Graham’s Social Life of Scotland in the Eighteenth Century: “In spring there meet round the little wells of Moffat a throng in their gayest and brightest from society in town and country, sipping their sulphur waters and discussing their pleasant gossip … city clergy, men of letters, country gentlemen and ladies of fashion and the diseased and decrepit of the poorest rank, who had toilsomely travelled from far-off districts to taste the magic waters.”
More recently, local historian Emilio Dicerbo, in his “Memories of Moffat” book tells that: “In the seventeenth century, Moffat’s transformation from a poor ‘Brigadoon’ – like village to the beginning of a popular Spa town occurred”. The sulphurous waters of Moffat Spa were believed to have healing properties and as more and more people flocked to Moffat, the “healing waters” were piped from the well to the “Baths Hall” (now the Town Hall).
The demands of those early visitors led to the building of a number of hotels. A particular Georgian exterior can be seen at the Annandale Arms Hotel on the High Street.
Later, in 1878, the Moffat Hydropathic Hotel that epitomised the Spa Heritage of Moffat was built on the road leading to the Beef Tub. Sadly it was destroyed by fire in 1921 In its heyday this palatial hotel contained over three hundred bedrooms, an elegantly furnished drawing room and a luxurious lounge. The spacious dining room seated three hundred diners in lavish surroundings.
A fascinating piece of information was reproduced in our local Moffat News:
In 1837, Moffat residents were described as ‘particularly clean and decent’.
The Statistical Account of the year also revealed that:
“Their language is among the best samples of English to be found in any Scottish village.”
“There is hardly any smuggling or poaching, and low and gross acts of immorality are seldom heard of in MoffatThe Account also revealed that:
Curling, bowling and billiards were popular sports
A subscription and circulating library operated locally
There were 2 daily newspapers
No houses were uninhabited
Moffat supported 50 weavers, 6 shoemakers, 6 tailors and 8 merchants
Moffat also supported 1 watchmaker, 2 bakers, 5 masons, 6 wrights and 1 surgeon.
Moffat Town Hall
Moffat Town Hall is a Georgian sandstone and whinstone building, prominent half way up the High Street. It is the largest public building in Moffat and is managed by a Community Trust on behalf of the local residents.
The Hall was built as the Baths Hall in 1827 when Moffat was a favourite destination to ‘take the waters’. The sulphurous water was piped down from Moffat Well a mile up the hills behind the Town and people could both drink and bathe in the waters. It was claimed to be efficacious for all sorts of ailments.
As the largest public building in Moffat, it has been, and is still, extensively used, and many famous artists have appeared on its stage in the past. It is famous for its weekly ‘coffee mornings’ which raise more than £20 000 for local and national charities. Since being taken over by the Community it has undergone major refurbishment to make it one of the highlights of the High Street, and fit for use in the 21st Century. The refurbishment revealed some beautiful sandstone carving.
Moffat as a Spa Town
The development of Moffat was based on 3 separate ‘industries’: sheep; as a staging post between England and Edinburgh; and as a Spa Town.
Moffat has no less than 3 wells scattered in the hillsides surrounding the town but it is the Moffat Well that brought it fame and prosperity. It was discovered by Rachel Whiteford in the 17th Century and word soon spread of the water’s efficacious properties, despite its vile sulphurous [rotten eggs] taste and smell. Moffat was one of only a handful of Spa Towns in Scotland and was spoken of in the same terms as the more famous Harrogate and Bath in England.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Moffat was thronged with visitors staying to ‘take the waters’. Much of the architecture of the town developed as a result of this tourist industry. One of the consequences of Moffat’s fame as a Spa Town is the existence of the oldest pharmacy in Scotland, which still has many of its original shop fittings preserved. The Town Hall was built as the ‘Baths Hall’ to support the industry; and it is still possible to visit Moffat Well, a pleasant 1 ½ mile stroll out of the town into the hills.
General information regarding the Trust can be accessed at the Moffat Town Hall Trust website.
Architectural Legacy
A walk along the High Street will introduce you to the Annandale Arms Hotel (built as the King’s Arms as the result of a 1762 contract) and the Balmoral Hotel, both of which were major coaching inns at one time, the Moffat
House Hotel (illustrated above) built for the Earl of Hopetoun in 1762 and designed by the famous Edinburgh architect John Adam.
The Town Hall was built in 1827 and was, formerly the ‘Bath’s Hall’ that provided hot and cold mineral baths for visitors to ‘take the waters’.
You will see the Moffat Ram (Colvin Fountain), the Buccleuch Arms Hotel, Dickson House and several others which have strong connections with the town’s spa and coaching history.