| One of many
popular walks with Muirkirk folk over the years is over
the moor to the Sanquhar Brig. Passing Macadam's Stone,
(P8) you come to a small hill called "Whisky
Knowe". Legend has it that barrels of whisky were
buried somewhere in the hillside, in a desperate bid to
outwit an Exciseman (or "gauger"
as they were known) in hot pursuit
of a few unruly characters many many years ago. How much truth is in the tale I do not know. I have to admit it added more than a slight degree of intrigue to the walk nonetheless! Oh,
incidentally...........legend also has it that the whisky
is still there..............
(Extract from the poem "Southside Memories" by James Strickland c1900) To scan the
dear old Sanquhar Road, A short
distance beyond "Whisky Knowe" lies the rebuilt
Sanquhar Brig. As I mention elsewhere within these pages, I used to enjoy a walk there with my late father during the 1960's. In those days, the bridge was a crude construction, fabricated from reclaimed railway sleepers. It was little more than a sideless "platform" across the stream, just capable of taking the weight of a farm tractor or Land Rover or similar. Time has an irrefutible tendency to take its toll on all things, the Sanquhar Brig being no exception. Inevitably, the day came when the brig of the 60's era could no longer be considered safe to use. A much revered and historic local landmark was about to disappear forever.................. Muirkirk Community Council decided that this should not be allowed to happen. A plan to renew the Sanquhar Brig was born. The arduous task culminated in 1993 when William Shaw had the honour of officially opening the revised and rebuilt Sanquhar Brig. It is difficult to believe that 12 years have passed since that rebuild. What do they say........ "Time waits for no man!" Only too true! |
