BOOK UPDATE . . . Jim Hawkins has updated his book The Sandstone Heritage of Dumfriesshire, while a tile named after the sandstone of Annan is part of a new range being sold nationally by Topps Tiles
Topps Tiles have introduced the new ‘Annan’ tile, inspired by the town’s history quarrying sandstone.
Dumfries store manager Scott Currie said: “This is a new range that’s just come in, named after areas in the UK.
“There’s six tiles in the range — Annan being the one closest to us and the only one in Scotland.”
Scott added: “It’s a ceramic tile, suitable for wall and floor. It’s beige, with a red sandstone effect through it.”
The staff only learned of the tile’s existence when a bulletin arrived informing them of the new range.
Scott says they’ve never had a tile with as close a local association before.
In its literature, Topps Tiles said: “Annan is named after a medieval town in south west Scotland where many of its buildings are built from the local red sandstone which has been supplied to many prestigious projects including the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the original pedestal to the Duke of Wellington’s monument.”
It added: “Inspired by the natural sandstone’s depth of colour, the Annan stone-effect tile features directional warming red tones against a sumptuous cream base.”
Annan historian Jim Hawkins has written a book focused on the history of sandstone in the area.
He notes that Annan sandstone is a triassic sandstone, distinct from the sandstone from Dumfries and Lochmaben, and said: “It’s nice to have it recognised like this.”
Jim has just newly republished the book The Sandstone Heritage of Dumfriesshire, updated with about 40 extra pages featuring new illustrations.
It is being sold by Bookends in Carlisle, with all proceeds going towards Annan Harbour Action Group.
Meanwhile, the new Annan tile is being discovered by customers across the country, and Scott from Topps Tiles said: “It’s finding its feet so far, but when we’re telling people they’re quite interested to realise it’s so aclose.”
