Thomas Carlyle’s Birthplace

Guided tours of the house last for 25 minutes, and the maximum capacity of groups is 15.

Cradle to Grave tour, daily at 1.30pm

This village tour covers Carlyle’s life in the village, from his birthplace to his burial site. The tour moves up the High Street, describing what Carlyle would have seen and experienced as a boy. At the top of the Haggs Hill we reach the Carlyle Memorial Statue, placed on the spot where his mother is said to have waved him off as he started his 84-mile walk to university. From here the tour heads down towards Carlyle’s grave, taking in the fields and hills and noting the start of the route that Carlyle would walk to and from school every week. From the Carlyle family burial site, the tour then makes its way back to the Arched House.

Enjoy tea or coffee and some famous Ecclefechan tart in our tearoom.

Large-print factsheets are available.

Pay & Display parking is available on the road, within 50m of the property.

What the Arched House lacks in size, it makes up for in cultural significance – it’s fascinating to see where this hugely influential man grew up.

Many of Carlyle’s belongings are still in situ, along with domestic items of the time, providing an authentic glimpse into Victorian life and a fascinating insight into Thomas Carlyle’s early years. There are also many photos and reproductions of paintings of Carlyle and his wife Jane, a famous 19th-century literary couple.

Factsheets in each room, along with knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, add insight to your visit.

After your visit, enjoy a wander round the pretty village of Ecclefechan and absorb the atmosphere that nurtured the ‘Sage of Ecclefechan’. There’s a great view from the top of the village, where there’s a replica of Boehm’s statue of Carlyle on the Embankment in London.

Touch tours are available – please book in advance.