From Monastery to the Milk - one family's 825 year relationship with river

Join us on a beautiful walk to hear the story of one family’s 825 year connection with the River Annan, and its tributary the river Milk.

Alexander Bell-Irving’s family have lived with the landscape and riverscape of the Annan at the mouth of the river Milk since around 1200.

Like the ebb and flow of the water, their relationship with the nature of the river and its surrounding landscape has changed though time. Alexander who grew up playing in the river, swimming in the river, fishing in the river, and now fostering the health of the river, is passionate about working with nature to encourage riparian and landscape scale biodiversity.

Looking at the landscape and riverscape as a whole, Alexander wants to ensure there is a balance between the pressures on the river and the land so that his children and future generations can sustainably enjoy the beauty and biodiversity in this special place in the heart of Annandale.

Meeting at Hoddom Bridge, we will hear about the Monastry to St Kentigern (St Mungo) and then Alexander will take us on a walk from the river Annan up the River Milk to the heart of Alexander’s families riverscape, hearing about the families relationship with it through time and sharing his insights and ambitions for it’s future.

There will be opportunities for discussion and questions along the way as we pause at various locations of specific interest

Please dress for the weather and wear sensible shoes as the terrain will be uneven.

This event is part of a the week long ImMerse – From Sea to Source Festival (20th – 27th September).

The ImMerse Festival is part of our SCAMP Landscape Connections project with funding from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and D&G Climate Hub and delivered through a partnership including SCAMP Landscape Connections, D&G Climate Hub, Annan Harbour Action Group.

Also check out other Festivals in Annan, Meetups in Annan, Sports events in Annan.