Number 9

 Please note all dates are approximate. 

If you have any further information, documents, photos or memories about this shop  let us know in the comments section at the bottom or on Annan The History Town Group Facebook page. 

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© P&V Russell

The building including Numbers 5, 7 & 9 is a Category A Listed Building. Category A means it is of national importance.

The listing says 'Mid 18th century, large classical 3 storey house with basement. Alterations in late 19th century enlarging ground & first floor openings... Main central doorway approached by steps with iron railings, ... recessed panelled door with fanlight... sash windows with 12 pane glazing...'

Statement of special interest: Purchased by burgh council in 1790's and became the burgh academy... converted to dwelling house by one time Provost, James Little. 

1780   Bridge House was originally built as an inn, possibly the Queensberry Hotel, but was purchased  by the council in 1802 to house Annan Academy. 

1804/1805 Annan Academy opened and the first rector was William Dalgliesh

RoM 1990

Note the buildings to the left of Bridge House. These were demolished when a petrol station was built here, which itself was demolished for the extension of Port Street in the 1990's.

Annan Academy remained here until the council built a new school in Ednam Street in 1820. Thomas Carlyle, Victorian essayist, and Edward Irving, radical preacher, were both educated at the academy.

RoM 1985

Towards the end of the 20th century the building fell into disrepair, and was put on the "at risk" register. 

In the early 2000's the Friends of Annandale & Eskdale Museums came up with a plan to restore it to its former glory. They wanted to offer it for community use and build a museum for East Dumfriesshire, with a garden behind the house. It would offer rooms for meetings and for research into family, clan and emigration history. There would be a permanent display space for their collection of paintings and artefacts and room for temporary exhibions.

© A Wilkins

© A Wilkins

However this did not come to fruition and by 2004 D&G Council declared it surplus to requirements. 

2008  Bridge House was put on the market and bought by a developer who set to and restored the            building, using  traditional techniques and craftsmen.

It is now a private dwelling.