Langholm (Lang-holm: long-area by the river. of Norse origin from AD800) or the "Muckle Toon" as it is known, nestles in Eskdale at the confluence of The Esk and the two tributaries of the Ewes and Wauchope.

It is steeped in history lying as it does just six miles north of the Scottish border near the debatable lands and eleven miles north east of Gretna.

It is a magical place where wildlife abounds and the climate is comfortable or temperate as it is technically called. As a self confessed twitcher and wildlife observer I like nothing better than exploring the Southern Upland hills that surround us. When spring comes around, I just have to get on top of a hill and survey the world; well at least as far as the eye can see.

I have recently awakened an interest in the historical aspects of Scotland and especially the locality around Langholm. I believe we are now living in the best era this country has ever seen, imagine only 200 years ago our great grandfathers were living in single roomed houses with mud floors and thatched roofs barely able to eke out a living. Yet in my lifetime we have taken to the air, landed on the moon (astronaut Neil Armstrong has his roots in Langholm and is a freeman of the town). The world has become, quite literally, our oyster and all because of education, and the medium of the internet has further expanded our access to knowledge.

What is this website about you ask? Good question, I hope it is a celebration of life and of the world that is around us from an optimist. It is about the past, the present and the future as I observe it. It’s about this wonderful country I live in; Bonnie Scotland or as some say Gods country.