History of the Murray Arms Hotel and Restaurant and Robbie Burns
The Murray Arms Hotel and Restaurant is ideally situated to explore the many great historical connections of Gatehouse of Fleet and the Dumfries and Galloway region. Of particular interest, especially to lovers of Scottish poetry and literary history, are all the great Robert Burns connections in Dumfries and Galloway. Indeed Burns is reputed to have written "Scot’s Wha Hae" in the Murray Arms Hotel and Restaurant, having composed it while walking to the town over the hill from New Galloway.
The Murray Arms itself is an important part of Gatehouse of Fleet history. James Murray of Broughton and Cally built the Murray Arms Hotel and Restaurant in 1760 when it became well known as a coaching inn on the Dumfries to Stranraer stage. The Murray Arms is set in an unspoilt area with a rich history, varied flora and fauna and glorious landscapes.
For those who enjoy general Scottish history and delving into the past there is an abundance of ancient and not so ancient historical sites all within easy travelling distance of Gatehouse of Fleet and the Murray Arms.
Gatehouse of Fleet itself has a fascinating industrial past which remains very evident today in the style of some of the housing and the layout of the town. In the late 1700s the town had a thriving cotton industry. The hive of bustle and activity led Robert Burns to make reference to "Roarin' Birtwhistle", a reference to Birtwhistle Street named after one of the north of England Mill owners; the street remains today.
The Murray Arms is a listed building and is set in a National Trust for Scotland Conservation Area. The town of Gatehouse of Fleet lies at the centre of one of only forty designated National Scenic Areas in Scotland, the Fleet Valley National Scenic Area.
For those interested in wildlife the varied coastline of the Fleet Bay, the verdant floor of the Fleet valley and the surrounding woods and hills provide a wealth of habitats for wild flowers, birds and animals. Nearby, Carstramon Wood Wildlife Reserve has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The Solway Firth is currently being considered as the countries first Marine National Park.
