Sundial Cottage - Penpont Heritage Centre

Joseph Thomson, a famous explorer of Africa, was born in this cottage in 1858. When his father bought the house in 1856, he used his master building skills to add a cantilever staircase to access two bedrooms which he developed in the roof space to accommodate his five sons. On ground floor there is a box bedroom where Thomson was born and a room reserved for the Heritage of Penpont, Keir and Tynron .

Outwith the cottage there is a wash-house, an outside boiler and sandstone steps leading to an annexe which was built as an armoury for the Penpont Rifle Volunteers (1860-1885). In the back garden there is still a pigsty and a privy.

The cottage was home to Mrs. Jean Carson for 70 years and has changed little since the Thomson's occupied it from 1856-1868.

Because Jean was proud to be in Thomson`s birthplace, she willingly welcomed parties of schoolchildren in the 80s and 90s . She explained its unique features and showed how she swept her own chimney using a whale bone brush she had bought for 30 shillings. Even at 95 she was willing to be photographed and filmed and, as a result, the idea was born of, one day, converting this cottage into a Heritage Centre.

As such, it was officially opened in 2013 by the Duke of Buccleuch who has leased the property to the community at a nominal rent.

Sophia Harkness MBE FRSGS

Displays on the life of explorer Joseph Thomson. Further displays of local history with writings and artifacts. Large Victorian Boiler outside Wash-house, pig sty and the Rifle Volunteer annexe.

Outside toilet.

Disable WC nearby.

Parking on Marrburn Road and Church Street.

Village Tea room open Saturday and Sunday plus Church Hall Teas Sat 1 till 4pm

Photographs by Sophia Harkness