Annan’s history came in waves  like our Solway tide, carrying Romans to settle on our river banks,  bringing  Vikings with their haaf net fishing which we still practise here  today’; attracting the Normans including   Robert the Bruce’s family who  built Annan Castle.  The fierce power of Annan River swept it away and centuries of turmoil ensued.  When cross-border hostilities ceased, exciseman Rabbie Burns patrolled this smuggler coast and wrote great poems in Annan.  Prosperity came in the 19^th Century. Record-breaking tall ships were built in Annan and sailed the Atlantic from our harbour with cargoes of people and sandstone. This red sandstone ,which helped build New York,  still brightens our High Street and every building , courtyard and back wynd has a story to tell of great writers , radical churchmen. fine artists, military leaders and more!