Langholm Library Trust

Langholm Library Trust Originally formed in 1800, the Langholm Library is now a reference and local studies collection under the control of the Langholm Library Trust.

The Langholm Library was founded in 1800. It was a subscription library as was the custom at that time and members paid an annual subscription to pay for the running cost and to buy books. In 1834, the library received a bequest from the Estate of Thomas Telford, who was born at Glendinning and received his schooling at Westerkirk. Telford was the leading civil engineer of the day, and responsible

for a great many building works, including roads, bridges, canals aqueducts, harbours, fen land drainage, public buildings and churches around Britain and abroad. He never married and his will made bequests to many individuals most of whom he had met and worked with during his career. To the Langholm Library he left £1,000, the capital to be invested and the interest used for buying books. In 1853 the Langholm Library absorbed the Langholm Trades Library (founded in 1813). Since 1974, it has been a reference and local studies collection under the control of the Langholm Library Trust. Today the collection consists of some 5000 volumes including some items published in the 1800 century and many books of local interest. There is also and important collection of books formerly belonging to Hugh MacDiarmid, many bearing his autograph.

CAN YOU STUMP THE ARCHIVE TEAM?Langholm Library Trust – Monthly Archive ChallengeHave a Langholm mystery for us?A buildi...
27/02/2026

CAN YOU STUMP THE ARCHIVE TEAM?
Langholm Library Trust – Monthly Archive Challenge

Have a Langholm mystery for us?
A building with a hidden story?
A local character who’s been forgotten?
A curious old headline?
A tale passed down through generations?

Send us your challenge!
We’ll search valuation rolls, old newspapers, photographs, and local history books to uncover the story — then reveal our findings here.

Comment below or message us with your mystery by mid March.
Let’s explore Langholm’s past — one mystery at a time.

Sherlock Holmes and the Canonbie connectionThe character of Sherlock Holmes, created by Arthur Conan Doyle, was based on...
27/02/2026

Sherlock Holmes and the Canonbie connection

The character of Sherlock Holmes, created by Arthur Conan Doyle, was based on Dr Joseph Bell (1837-1911), an Edinburgh surgeon descended directly from Canonbie farmer George Bell (1722-1813).

George was initially a merchant in the Middle East trade, then succeeded his father at Woodhouselees farm, a mile south of Canonbie and next to the border with England. He and his son James were noted in statistical accounts for using innovative techniques which improved the farm considerably.

George’s eldest surviving of fifteen children, Benjamin (1749-1806), is sometimes described as ‘the first Scottish scientific surgeon’. In later life, Benjamin also tried farming near Edinburgh, asking advice from his father.

Benjamin’s great-grandson Dr Joseph Bell appointed Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) as his clerk at Edinburgh Medical School. Doyle was fascinated by Dr Bell’s remarkable powers of observation and diagnosis.

Doyle, an aspiring author, sent a manuscript for an early Sherlock Holmes story to Edinburgh-born Robert Louis Stevenson who replied, ‘can this be my old friend Joe Bell?’

Fitba FergusonLocal character David Ferguson was baptised in Langholm on 25 July 1874 to parents John Ferguson, a skinne...
12/10/2025

Fitba Ferguson

Local character David Ferguson was baptised in Langholm on 25 July 1874 to parents John Ferguson, a skinner to trade, and Helen Irving. In 1881 the family lived at 20 West street, and 10 years later David, aged 16 was working as a yarn store assistant and living with his aunt Isabella Irving at Rosevale cottage. His brother John Ferguson died in 1875 at the age of 5, and he also had a sister, Margaret born in 1866. We are unsure of the date that David died.

David, or Fitba was quite fond of frequenting the local hostelries and would often paint pictures in return for beer money. We have 4 'fitba' paintings in our archives but believe many more might exist gathering dust in an attic or two.

Fitba, was imprisoned on two occassions at Dumfries, for drunken and disorderly behaviour (1908 and 1922) where his trade was recorded as 'painter'.

He can been seen in local photos as a member of the flute band, notably a drum player.

Are there any more 'fitba's' out there waiting to be discovered?

Update:

David died on 22nd October 1944 aged 70. He was found in a field at Gatelawbridge Farm and it is suspected he died of cardiac arrest. His usual address on his death certificate was Wapping Lane, Langholm. He was last seen alive in Thornhill at 5pm on the 21st October. He may possibly have been staying at Rowantree house, Gatelawbridge, a poor house located near Thornhill. He is interred at Morton cemetery, Thornhill in a pauper's grave.

He was married to Mary Ann Anderson, a servant from Newcastleton and they were married in Langholm in 1899.

Longwood House and the 'Alice in Wonderland' connectionCaptain Caryl Hargreaves (1877-1955) was the youngest son of Alic...
12/09/2025

Longwood House and the 'Alice in Wonderland' connection

Captain Caryl Hargreaves (1877-1955) was the youngest son of Alice Liddell, for whom 'Alice in Wonderland' was written by Lewis Carroll. Wing Commander Caryl Hargreaves lived at Longwood House, Langholm from around 1947/48 until his death on 26 Nov 1955. An obituary was published in the Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser on the 7th Dec 1955.
We are unsure of the connection between Caryl Hargreaves and Longwood/Langholm before his retirement but it could possibly have been wealthy/aristocratic connections - Ary Miesegaes who had Longwood/Broomholmshiels before Hargreaves; Milne Home family at Irvine House; or maybe the Duke of Buccleuch.
Hargreaves also owned Broomholmshiels from 1947 to 1957.
Or possible military connections, e.g. Ary Miesegaes’ wife’s grandfather was Colonel William Borthwick who had Longwood built.

Longwood House has since been demolished and was uninhabited for many years. It is believed farmer George Bell used the derelict house for a time to raise turkeys.

Many thanks to Ian, our volunteer who researched and compiled this information. The E&L newspaper archives and valuation rolls are available in the library.

An old print of Langholm, can you guess the date?
22/08/2025

An old print of Langholm, can you guess the date?

An old print of Langholm Library Buildings
20/08/2025

An old print of Langholm Library Buildings

Simon Fletcher 1779-1824 (veteran of 32 battles including Waterloo) killed by a cow on the Langholm Bridge!There's an in...
20/08/2025

Simon Fletcher 1779-1824 (veteran of 32 battles including Waterloo) killed by a cow on the Langholm Bridge!

There's an interesting chapter on some of our residents in the old cemetery up the Kirkwynd. In David Beattie's book 'Oor Ain Folk' he recounts an interesting story of the demise of Simon Fletcher.....

We have several copies of David's book in the library along with other titles and copies of the headstone inscriptions for all the Langholm Cemeteries.

We are open on Saturdays 10am to 12pm if you wish to find out an interesting tale or two.

Photos from the Langholm Archive group, including the church spire without scaffolding from 1988.

This large printed photograph was recently donated to the archive. We believe the group were on a trip to Carlisle to ta...
19/08/2025

This large printed photograph was recently donated to the archive. We believe the group were on a trip to Carlisle to take part in the Roman enactment in 1959. We have identified the following names:

Back row - ? ? Watt Robinson, Alec McVittie, Lowry Ewart, Les Rae, ? Billy Park/Reid? Tom Calvert, Big Archie Irving,
Middle row - ? Mac Hotson,, Ninian Wilson, ? George 'Podge' Bell, Ronnie Park, ? Andrew Jeffrey, Joe Donaldson.
Front row - Dougie Anderson, wee Archie Irving, Ian Rhodes, Edgar Morrison, Jimmy Maxwell, Billy Bell.

Please help us identify the rest or correct any names!

I clue at Wauchope cemetery may explain how Gaskell's walk got its name.
01/08/2025

I clue at Wauchope cemetery may explain how Gaskell's walk got its name.

Following last week's article in the E&L Advertiser about artefacts from the former museum in Langholm, the article inco...
15/07/2025

Following last week's article in the E&L Advertiser about artefacts from the former museum in Langholm, the article incorrectly states that the minute book from 1802 could be in storage somewhere. We do have this book at the library along with notes regarding the book written by the late Alex McCracken, a former trustee of the library. His notes explain the criteria for those named in the book being eligible for conscription to the Militia being raised against a possible invasion by Napoleon.
In terms of local ancestry it's an important primary source of which few documents are available before the census began in 1841. Each parish lists named men and occupations, place of residence, number of children and state of health (if grounds for exemption). The notes provide a fuller explanation on grounds for exemptions and substitutions, but they were generally exempt on health grounds or if you had more than two children. There are some interesting ailments listed!
Both of the books can be viewed in the library. We are open every saturday between 10am and 12pm

Address

Library Buildings, High Street
Langholm
DG130DJ

Opening Hours

10am - 12pm

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