Dalry has a long and interesting history, - which spans hundreds of years.
We think Dalry'SCool. There is actually more than
one "Dalry" in Scotland - but only one "St. John's
Town of Dalry", and that's us! Our Dalry got its name
when John the Baptist passed through the village. He
was tired and rested on a stone. That very stone is
still here, all these years later, and that's why we are
called "St. John's Town of Dalry".
Before St John came through we used to be called
the "Clachan of Dalry". "Clachan" means 'village'. The
old name is remembered in the name of one of our
two hotels, "The Clachan".
We have another Hotel in Dalry, called "The
Lochinvar". The name is all that is left of the island
castle of Lochinvar because the valley was flooded to
make a reservoir to provide water for Dalry. Every
summer when the water level drops you can see the
top of the ruins, but whenever there is a really bad
drought - the whole island can be seen at the bottom
of the reservoir.
Tam O' Shanter
The most interesting part of Dalry's history is that Robert Burns based his famous "Tam O' Shanter" poem on
the story of a farmer Adam Forrester, who was drunk one night in a pub in Dalry, which was run by a local
mid-wife called Lucky Hare. It was on his way home from the pub that he went down past the "Motte House",
when he heard the sound of music coming from the nearby church. When he went to investigate he saw
people dancing with the devil; one of them was Lucky Hare. To this Adam Forrester shouted:
"Weel danc't Lucky Hare,
You'll no deny this the morn"
The witches and warlocks all started to chase him, so Adam jumped on his horse and galloped up Waterside
Hill, but the ground got too boggy and he had to get off. The devil and the witches were nearly catching him,
so he took out his sword and made a score on the ground around himself and his horse, and said:
"By the power of God almighty, may no evil thing cross this score!"
And sure enough when they reached him they couldn't cross it. The Devil managed to grab the horse and
pulled its tail off! Just then the cock crowed, the sun came up and the witches left.
"The grass was scowdered to the moules"
but Adam was safe. He went down on his knees and thanked God for his rescue. Later in the day he came
back and dug a ditch and came back every year to clear the ditch. It is still there today, 300 years later.
During the summer we are going up to see it. We'll take some pictures for the web-site.
by Andrew and Alasdair
Dalry Police Station
The current Police Station in Dalry is in Motte House,
in the centre of the village and is on the site of a
former baker's shop. The station was opened in 2000
and can be used to contact Police 24 hours a day.
There is a telephone outside the station which has a
direct line to the nearest Police Station or Emergency
Control Room.
http://www.scotland.police.uk/
http://www.scotland.police.uk/yourcommunity/dumfries-and-galloway/
Dalry Church of Scotland
Our Church was built in 1831. But there has been
a church on the site for much longer. This was
where Adam Forrester saw the dancers.
The Covenanters' Grave
There is a really sad gravestone in the churchyard at
Dalry, at least we think so. It is the Covenanters' Table.
Two covenanters were killed near Dalry. This table is in
their memory and the story is engraved on the surface of
the table. We think it is really sad that people could be
killed just for having different beliefs.
In the spring we are going to take a rubbing of the story,
then we will tell you what it says.
by Rosie & Samantha
(The above has been edited to correct information, and
the following information given by the Church Minister,
David Bartholomew. “The two Covenantors who were
killed near Darly were brought back to Dalry and buried in
the graveyard by their friends. But the soldiers came and
dug up their bodies and hung them from a tree and
forced the villagers to parade past them, warning them
not to support the Covenantors or this would happen to
them too. A day or so later the villagers were allowed to
bury the bodies in the corner of the graveyard.”)
Bridge over Boat Weil
This is the suspension bridge in Dalry over the part
of the river called Boat Weil, as there used to be a
ferry here across the River Ken. It was used by the
local people, but also by pilgrims including Kings of
Scotland on their way from Edinburgh to the
religious sites in Whithorn. In fact, one of our forest
roads in the middle of the Galloway National
park is called Edinburgh Road! The bridge was
built by the Royal Engineers in the 1980s to
complete the Southern Upland Way which runs
from the west coast of Scotland to the east coast. It
covers over 200 miles and passes right through the
middle of Dalry.
by Andrew
More fuller information provided by a person who actually helped build the bridge: "The suspension bridge
was built by 33 Independent Field Squadron RE in Spring 1982. I have fond memories of helping to build it
and of the people of Dalry. At the time they were somewhat uncertain about a concrete, wood and steel
suspension bridge being built in their pretty village. The pub was nice and I remember the vicar inviting me to
tea a couple of times."
The Motte
The motte at Dalry is just a round hill now, and it is quite overgrown as you can see. There was a wooden
castle on it in medieval times. There is a local tale which says before the castle was built, a white dragon-like
snake lived on the motte. It had to be killed by the local blacksmith, wearing a suit of armour with spikes
sticking out of it. Needless to say that legend has it that the blacksmith successfully killed the monster, and
Dalry Castle was built. You can see a picture of what the castle looked like at the shelter in the picture and
you can just see us in the bracken!
Ali and Angus
The Library
The library has lots of books for homework or just for fun.
The library computer is also available to surf the internet
or to type up a project. There are online encyclopaedias
like KnowUK and Encyclopaedia Britannica. They also
have lots of information about Dalry and Dumfries and
Galloway both past and present. If you haven't joined the
librarian says, "Come along and see for yourself."
For Library opening hours and phone number:
http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/15397/DG-CustomerServices---Dalry-Library
The Lochinvar Hotel
The land which the Lochinvar was built upon was
purchased in 1720 and a coaching inn was built over
the following 5 years. The new hotel has 14
bedrooms, two bars, beer garden, dining room,
function/conference facilities, and Mamma’s Grill.
http://lochinvarhotel.co.uk/
The Clachan Inn
A traditional country pub. The Clachan has en suite
accommodation, fresh & locally sourced food, award
winning real ales, Sunday roast, kids meals, take
away, live music events, beer garden.
http://www.theclachaninn.co.uk/
Wright’s Shop & Post Office
Wright’s Shop and Post Office is open 7 days a week, from
7am to 6pm Monday to Friday, on Saturday 8am to 6pm,
and on Sundays from 8.30am to 4pm. The shop sells a wide
range of goods and services, such as newspapers,
groceries, beers, wines and spirits, and Post Office services.
(01644 430225).
https://www.facebook.com/wrightsshopdalry/info/?tab=page_
info
The Spalding Bowling Club
This well maintained flat green established in 1912
has superb panoramic views of Kells Range. The
club welcomes visitors of all standards, where you
can enjoy a relaxing game with the facility of bowls
and shoes provided.
Yearly during the summer term P6/7 pupils receive
bowling lessons at the club.
William Bone's Garage, Store & Sandwich Bar
(Mot, Servicing, Diagnostics, Exhausts, Tyres, Batteries)
Come to the garage where the friendly staff will
help you if your car has broken down or your
tyres are flat.
The Garage has a sandwich bar (8.30am – 2pm
Monday to Friday) which also sells hot and cold
drinks, (and soup in the winter). Bones Garage
is well worth a visit. (01644430208)
The Halifax (Bank of Scotland)
Open Hours: Wednesdays (01644 430342)
9.30am – 12.30pm & 13.00pm – 16.30pm
https://www.bankofscotland.co.uk/branchfinder/details.asp?bl_select=1&client=BOS&tn=Castle%20Douglas
&bid=459600&braddr=12+MAIN+STREET%2C+DALRY%2C+CASTLE+DOUGLAS%2C+DG7+3UW
Glenkens Community Shop
(Charity Shop – SC043944)
https://m.facebook.com/GCS34DALRY
Dalry Town Hall