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Sanquhar
| |
|---|---|
 Sanquhar from the south | |
  Sanquhar Location within Dumfries and Galloway | |
| Population | 1,940 (2022)[1] |
| Language | English Southern Scots |
| OS grid reference | NS781099 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SANQUHAR |
| Postcode district | DG4 |
| Dialling code | 01659 |
| Police | Scotland |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Sanquhar /ˈsæŋkər/ (Scots: Sanchar,[2] Scottish Gaelic: Seanchair[3]) is a town on the River Nith in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, north of Thornhill and west of Moffat. It is a former Royal Burgh.
It is notable for its tiny post office, established in 1712 and considered the oldest working post office in the world. It was also where the Covenanters, who opposed episcopalisation of the church, signed the Sanquhar Declaration renouncing their allegiance to the King, an event commemorated by a monument in the main street.
The church of St Brides contains a memorial to James Crichton, a 16th-century polymath. The ruins of Sanquhar Castle stand nearby. Nithsdale Wanderers, the local football team, were formed in 1897. In 1924–25, they won the Scottish Division Three.
The town celebrates the granting of its Royal Charter on the 3rd Saturday in August each year. The day consists of a procession of horses, decorated floats and massed pipes and drums around the town.
The towns colours are blue and white.
- ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "List of railway station names in English, Scots and Gaelic – NewsNetScotland". Newsnetscotland.com. 19 August 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ "Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba ~ Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland". Gaelicplacenames.org. Retrieved 27 March 2015.