The Marker Plaque
A new extension to Glasgow’s celebration of St. Mungo took place on 21 June when the St. Mungo Trail, a partnership between the City of Glasgow Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council, was inaugurated at Hoddon near Ecclefechan.
Lord Provost Bob Winter, with members and staff of the City Council and invited guests including representatives from Glasgow Churches Together, travelled to the starting point of the Trail near Hoddon Castle. The weather was not auspicious, heavy rain making the path rather soggy, but the welcome by Patsy Gilroy, Convenor of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and her colleagues and staff, and the beauty of the site more than made up for this.
Civic and Church representatives at the unveiling
According to a persistent tradition, St. Mungo stayed at Hoddon during his exile from Glasgow and founded a monastery there. Recent excavations indicate that a significant and substantial monastery did exist in the site along the bank of the river Annan. Convenor Gilroy and Lord Provost Winter unveiled the marker stone, and two of the local archaeologists explained some of the history and layout of the site. The hope is that the Annandale Way which runs along the river beside the site will extend and link up eventually with the Clyde Walkway, and encourage walkers and other tourists to visit and learn more of the early history of Dumfries & Galloway and of Glasgow.
After a photocall, the Convenor invited everyone to come up to Hoddon Castle and enjoy a lovely buffet before heading home.
