Kirkconnel Manse

Explorer Tom Kirkconnel Parish Church has a very strong opinion of the road that leads to it, thinking it’s too slow for its own good. The 18th-century churchyard is full of people who agree with the church’s grumpy attitude about modern life. Go in good boots and better humour.

Explorer Tom Kirkconnel War Memorial on Main Street is tired of people asking if the pigeons are part of the display. It’s just standing there being dignified while the birds do whatever they want without apology. Bring the dog, it'll have opinions.

Explorer Tom Kirkconnel in Dumfries and Galloway is playing hide-and-seek with me, hiding a stone axehead under a bridge over the River Nith. The wind there has it in for this spot, whipping through the gorge like it’s angry at the mapmakers who only gave us a one-kilometre fix. It’s basically a secret handshake between a 19th-century farmer and a prehistoric chisel. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Kirkconnel, Signal Box is a tiny box from the 19th century that would describe itself as 'a very important small room with great views' to any stranger. It’s been controlling trains for over a hundred years and probably thinks it’s still doing a good job, even if there aren’t many trains left. The place has that classic railway nostalgia vibe that