We’ve put together this page to help you explore and discover the gems our lovely wee town of Moffat has to offer:
Moffat Museum
The Museum was founded in the 1970s by a group of energetic Moffat people who wanted to preserve their local heritage for subsequent generations.
The Museum was housed in an old Bakehouse until a big modernisation project in 2012/13. Then the purchase of an adjoining property enabled the Museum to expand into the additional space.
Innovative new projects were embarked upon. The Museum was able to attract loans from the Museum of Scotland and to offer services to local schools and groups. One exciting new exhibit is a working model of the busy Moffat railway station as it was in the 1950s.
Admission is FREE but for current opening times and a sneak preview of what’s on offer you can visit their website: www.moffatmuseum.co.uk
Walking in and around Moffat
It is not by mistake that Moffat became Scotland’s first ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town.
Whether for a day’s hiking or a short stroll in unspoilt countryside, Moffat is the perfect place to experience a truly memorable walking holiday or just a simple stretch of the legs in beautiful countryside. The surrounding Moffat hills present a haven for walkers of all abilities. The clean Scottish air, stunning scenery and timeless beauty are truly awe inspiring.
There is a comprehensive range of walks signed around the town itself and many more in the rolling hills around Moffat – including two nearby Corbetts. For something slightly more challenging Moffat enjoys a halfway mark on the scenic Southern Upland Way. It is also the most northerly point (being either the start or finish) on The Annandale Way -The long distance walk from the Devil’s Beef Tub to the Solway Firth at Annan which opened in 2009.
If you’re in town for a while, why not join in one of the Better4Walking walks on a Wednesday morning?
For more information check out:
http://www.visitmoffat.co.uk/things-to-do/walking
http://www.visitmoffat.co.uk/media/uploads/cat-269/waw_article_november_2011.pdf
Moffat Woollen Mill
The Moffat Woollen Mill is the largest retail shop in Moffat, serving the local community and tourists alike. As part of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill brand they are well renowned for their quality Scottish Knitwear and embrace the Scottish heritage and flavour throughout. At the Mill you will find a vast variety of goods ranging from:
- Clothing (Knitwear/Kilts/Outdoor Gear/Golf Clothing)
- Scottish food and produce (Salmon/Haggis/Shortbread etc …)
- Whisky (An impressive selection)
- A large collection of Scottish trinkets and memorabilia (the traditional and the unusual)
Website: www.ewm.co.uk
Moffat Ram Statue
The Moffat Ram Statue stands tall and proud in the centre of the town along it’s High Street and is probably one of the main features that comes to mind when thinking of the wee town. There is a little story behind the statue … it was commissioned by a local businessman named William Colvin and revealed to the town in 1875. Upon it’s unveiling a local farmer let out out a gregarious bellow,
“It has nae lugs!” (It has no ears)
True to the observation, you will notice that the Ram has no ears! This humiliated the sculptor, William Brodie so much so that he reportedly hung himself and still haunts the town to this day searching for the missing “lugs”.
To view the Ram on Google Street view as it stands today follow this link: https://goo.gl/maps/EDdzgSssFDE2
Fishing
The Green Frog, only a 5 minute walk from the hotel, offers a scenic get away for the pond fisherman. You will find:
- A 4.5 acre Fishery (Fly Fishing Only) – Crystal clear spring fed lochan stocked with fully finned Rainbow, Brown, Brook and Tiger Trout.
- A Family Fishing Lochan (Bait Fishing) – Stocked with plate sized Rainbow Trout (with the occasional BIGGER plate sized fish to give somebody a surprise!)
Take a peek at their website for costs and visiting times: www.thegreenfrogmoffat.co.uk
Coachman Bar / Nightlife
The Coachman Bar is regarded as the main watering hole/Public Bar in the town which can be a little bit schizophrenic. On the average week day the pub offers the perfect place to settle back and sip on a quiet pint while enjoying the amenities surrounded by impressive wall to wall murals of times gone by. The pub transforms into the local hotspot with live music provided every Saturday night and Karaoke the odd Friday night, which can be quite a contrast but perfect for those wanting to let their hair down a bit.
Amenities include:
- Wide Range of Alcohol and Soft Drinks
- Pub Grub & Beer Garden
- Sky Sports & BT Sports
- Pool Table & Darts Boards
- Jukebox & Games Machines
- Free WiFi
- Wheel Chair Access
For up to date entertainment announcements you can follow the Coachman Bar on their Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/TheCoachmanBar/
Moffat Toffee
Moffat Toffee has a reputation far and wide for it’s unique and popular taste. The recipe is a closely guarded family secret created by the passionate Janet Cook Johnstone and has been around since the late 1800’s! The shop itself will have kids drooling and adults delving into their inner child with probably one of the largest selections of confectionery in Scotland if not the UK. You can expect to find old fashioned sweets, handmade chocolates, sugar free range, shortbread, biscuits, fudge, tablet and other up market confectionery.
Pop onto their website for opening times or a browse through their online shop: www.moffattoffeeshop.com