Langholm: The Muckle Toon

Local History

Fantastic scenery, turbulent history, centuries-old traditions, culture & the arts — Langholm has it all…

The 'Muckle Toon' of Langholm sits on the banks of the River Esk, one of Scotland’s greatest salmon-fishing rivers (salmon-fishing season: 1st Feb–31st October 2009). Langholm is a small town with a big heart, hence the name, Muckle (Big) Toon (Town).

Originally a busy textile town, Langholm has undergone great changes in the last few decades. Although the textile industry still features in the town, it no longer plays such a big part, and Langholm now focuses on promoting itself as a tourist destination.

History doesn’t come much more turbulent than that of the infamous Border Reiver raiders. Langholm was at the centre of the so-called Debatable Land, and home to the much-feared Armstrong clan of outlaws and cattle-raiders, who terrorised both sides of the border in their infamous moonlit raids. Find out more at the Clan Armstrong Trust Museum where you can see ancient armour, heraldic exhibits and displays.

Common Riding is celebrated in Border towns to commemorate local men who risked their lives hundreds of years ago to protect the common rights of their towns and their people; but none is older, or indeed, closer to our hearts than ‘Langholm’s Great Day’, an eagerly-awaited annual event for the town, which always takes place on the last Friday in July.

For more information about present-day events in Langholm, visit our Links page.