Langholm

Langholm /ˈlæŋəm/, also known colloquially as the "Muckle Toon", is a burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, southern Scotland. Langholm lies between four hills in the valley of the River Esk in the Southern Uplands.

Langholm sits 8 miles (13 kilometres) north of the Anglo-Scottish border on the A7 road running between Edinburgh and Carlisle. Edinburgh is 73 miles (117 kilometres) to the north, Newcastleton is around 10 miles (16 kilometres) to the east and Carlisle 19 miles (31 kilometres) to the south.

Langholm is surrounded by four hills in the River Esk valley within Scotland's wider Southern Uplands. The highest of the four hills is 300 m high Whita hill on which stands an obelisk (locally known as 'The Monument'). The Monument commemorates the life and achievements of Sir John Malcolm (1769–1833), former soldier, statesman, and historian. The other three hills are Warblaw (which in Langholm is pronounced Warbla), Meikleholmhill (a knowe a hillock known as 'Timpen') and the Castle Hill.

The two longest B roads in the UK both start (or finish) in Langholm: the B6318, which goes to Heddon-on-the-Wall and is 61 miles (98 kilometres) long, and the B709, which joins the A7 near Heriot after 58 miles (93 kilometres).

Langholm was founded in 1455 during the Battle of Arkinholm.

A fort at nearby Langholm Castle was occupied by English soldiers during the war known as the Rough Wooing. Thomas Wharton reported that at the end of April 1543 the soldiers burnt farms at Whitslade in Teviotdale. There were plans to modify the tower by reducing its height to place artillery on it. Regent Arran successfully besieged the fort on 17 July 1547 and then travelled to the siege of St Andrews Castle to meet a French force. Mary of Guise had the fort rebuilt in 1556.

Langholm is the traditional seat of Clan Armstrong, which is currently represented globally by the official Clan Armstrong Trust. Home of the Clan Armstrong line is Gilnockie Tower 4.5 miles (7 kilometres) south of Langholm and 1.4 miles (2 kilometres) north of Canonbie. The Episcopalian church on Castle Holm fell into disuse before conversion into the Clan Armstrong museum, later moved to Gilnockie Tower.

The town was an important centre for the Border Reivers. In 1759 it won its case in a legal dispute with the Duke of Buccleuch, winning the right of common over the Kilngreen and Common Moss, a success that led to the establishment of the Langholm Common Riding. The town later grew around the textile industry. Langholm Town Hall was completed in 1813.