One of the places we visited for the first time during our recent trip down to Dumfries and Galloway was the town of Newton Stewart. It fits the bill for me as a good town as it has a lovely river running through it – the River Cree. Unfortunately like many such towns the river has fairly recently got too close and personal to the inhabitants, flooding quite badly.
It was another blue sky day, we were really lucky with the weather.
What more can you ask for? As well as the river there’s a great old bridge too. I grew up in a town that has a very similar bridge although that one goes over the River Leven, some of my happiest moments have been when I’ve been hanging over such bridges, scrutinising the water for fish, or watching the hoards of starlings doing that magical air dancing. Well that’s what they used to do at Dumbarton bridge anyway.
Below you can see what the town and bridge looked like in 2012 when the town flooded. It looks terrifying.
If you’re interested in seeing what the surrounding area looks like you might like to take a look at Vanessa Dixon’s dashcam video, Creetown to Newton Stewart although it takes about ten minutes to reach Newton Stewart there is some nice scenery along the way.
Great videos! Living by a river is nice, but always the thought of floods. I don’t think I’d want too..
Me too. The water comes up your bath and loo and everywhere, very nasty.
Oh, what a lovely place to visit. Yes, rivers can sometimes spell trouble. But they are so nice when they behave!
Shannon,
You’re right. Ideally I would live within sight of a river but as I don’t fancy dealing with being flooded every now and again I’m happier being further away.
Thanks for dropping by!
Marvellous bridge – I see it replaces an earlier one destroyed by floods in 1806.
A bit of a worry to see the water slopping over the wall in that video, I wouldn’t have stayed to film it!
I hope they can sort out some flood protection; I notice it seems fairly close to a flood-plain, where the river meanders and would slow down, and to the sea, so it may be just the natural evolution of the landscape as the outlet to the sea silts up.
Beautiful summery day in your photos with blue skies and green trees.
Valerie,
When we were there the wee metal footbridge that you can see in the video was closed completely, I think it must have been weakened. I wouldn’t have stayed to film that either, some people were standing very close to the water. In quite a lot of places builders here have been allowed to build new housing estates on flood plains. It’s a brave or crazy person that buys a house in those locations – but they do!
Do you actually live in Newton Stewart? I have been trying to find out about my Scottish side of my family who I believe lived in Newton Stewart on my Mother’s side. They were called the McCubbins. My Grandfather was called James my Grandmother was called May and my mum and auntie were called Elizabeth and Isobel ( Betty and Bunty ) don’t know if you can help me. I have been trying to ring the museum but can’t get no reply just wondering if you could help me. Thank you Ian Donald Hearn
Ian Donald Hearn,
No I don’t live in Newton Stewart, I’m in Fife. Maybe you could try getting in touch with the museum via their Facebook page in this link.
https://www.facebook.com/themuseumnewtonstewart/
McCubbins is quite an unusual name so it shouldn’t be too difficult to track down some info.
You should also be able to get in touch with someone via this link to the Ewart Library in Dumfries, it is apparently an archive centre now.
https://www.dgwgo.com/regional-news/ewart-library-archive-centre-dumfries/
Good luck!
Katrina
Hi Ian, I’ve come across this blog post about 2 years 2 late I guess.
I lived in Newton Stewart from 2006 till 2016. That’s my video of the flooding.
One of Newton Stewart leading citizens is Ken McCubbin. I’m no longer up to date on NS happenings, but Ken was leader of the Mountain Rescue team and a prominent Rotarian. I wasn’t a close friend but on the few occasions I met him he was very open and friendly. You may already have advanced your search but on the off chance you haven’t I’d suggest you contact the Rotary Club of Newton Stewart who I’ve no doubt will put you in touch with Ken.
Good luck ?
https://www.rotary-ribi.org/clubs/contact.php?ClubID=105