Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace

Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace is the Arched House in Ecclefechan, built in 1791 by his father and uncle, both stonemasons, over a pend in the village street, and the boy born in it in 1795 became the most influential Victorian man of letters, the sage of Chelsea. At 13 he walked the 84 miles to Edinburgh University from here, and the three rooms the National Trust for Scotland shows hold his cradle, his writing desk, a bookcase of his books and the tribute for his 80th birthday signed by Darwin and the Victorian great and good; he was buried beside his parents in the churchyard down the street in 1881. Reviewers say the volunteer's introductory talk makes the visit and that it deserves an hour. Tips from visitors: it opens only until early afternoon, five days a week in season; parking is on the road within 50 metres, signed as pay and display though reviewers found it free; and there is a step in and a steep stair up.