Thornhill, Dumfries and Galloway

Thornhill is a town in the region of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, south of Sanquhar and north of Dumfries.

It has a population of roughly 2,000 people and was formally founded in 1664 as a burgh of barony, although the town itself is considerably older. In the 18th century it was developed as an estate village for nearby Drumlanrig Castle.

A monument to the explorer Joseph Thomson, who lived in neighbouring Penpont and Gatelawbridge, can be found close to the school. It also has a column topped by a winged horse, the emblem of the Queensberry family, in the centre of the town.

The school gained its name, Wallace Hall Academy, on amalgamation with the nearby Closeburn school of that name. The original Closeburn school was founded in 1723 by John Wallace, a merchant in Glasgow and native of Closeburn. Alumni include the golfers Andrew Coltart, and Fan the Man, one of Thornhill's finest Golfers.

The town is renowned for the excellent fishing in the nearby rivers. It also features a wide variety of boutiques and gift shops and two hairdressers, one of which achieved the award of having the Highest Standard Wella Master Colour Expert.

Many attractions are close to the town, including Drumlanrig Castle still the seat of the dukes of Buccleuch and Queensbury with its famous art collection and gardens, Glenkiln sculpture park with its collection of sculptures in a beautiful natural setting, Wanlockhead Railway the highest in Scotland and Ellisland farm the former home of Burns.