Local MSP Colin Smyth has praised the Langholm community for its “drive, passion and achievements” in ensuring the Muckle Toon is not forgotten or overlooked.

Speaking in a debate about putting Langholm on the map, South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth said the town punches above its weight in the face of tough challenges.

Colin Smyth said: “Langholm is a town that is often forgotten but whose community drive, passion and achievements are an example to others.

“The muckle toon has a proud, rich history. It was once a thriving economy, with a population of more than 4,000 and bustling textile mills.

“However, the economic decline of the 1980s halved the population. The big employers closed or left town.

“Despite that decline and those challenges, the community is fighting back. It recognises the opportunities that exist in Langholm, from a focus on ecotourism to making the town a hub for small, growing businesses.

“I spoke recently in Parliament about the quiet land reform revolution that is taking place on Langholm moor.

“In 2019, when the Duke of Buccleuch declared the moor surplus to his vast land portfolio, the community, through the Langholm Initiative, undertook a bold fundraising effort that put the town on the map, captured hearts around the world and raised a remarkable £6 million to undertake South Scotland’s biggest community buy-out, taking 10,000 hectares of the duke’s land under the protection and ownership of the people.

“Now known as the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, the community owners are improving the environment by pushing the boundaries of ecological and community restoration, in partnership with organisations such as the Woodland Trust and the John Muir Trust, and by building a far better economic future for Langholm by pursuing sustainable and responsible tourism. Their vision and plans for the moor are inspiring, and they sum up the community spirit that drives Langholm.”

Speaking of the challenges facing the town, he continued: “That optimism has also been captured by the Langholm Alliance and its community plan for the town—an ambitious but, I believe, entirely achievable long-term plan that aims to give the town a thriving, sustainable economy by 2030, including by bringing more visitors to the area to enjoy the moor and everything that Langholm has to offer.

“However, the alliance has rightly identified that it makes it that bit more difficult to put Langholm on the map when Transport Scotland seems to have such difficulty even putting the town on its road signs. Thanks to the alliance’s campaign, we are seeing some progress south of the border, with proposals from the United Kingdom Government for new signage to Langholm on the roundabout at junction 44 of the M6, and from Cumberland Council for signage on the A7.”

Colin Smyth added that the Scottish Government needs to show “more flexibility and common sense and to play its part, with far better signage to Langholm on the A7 and the M74 north of the border”.

“The alliance’s plan also rightly backs calls by the Langholm and district rail group that any feasibility study on extending the Borders railway line should include consideration of the route passing through Langholm. The case to extend the line to Hawick is powerful. Further south is more challenging because there are fewer major population centres. Although there is a strong argument for extending the line to Carlisle to link with the west coast main line and provide an alternative to the east coast main line, the case for that extension would be even stronger if Langholm was included on the route, given that it is the largest town between Hawick and Carlisle. That, along with proper signage on the A7 and the A74, would put Langholm on the map.”