Annan URC Church

The United Reformed Church in Annan is one of those solid Victorian buildings that says quite a lot about a town's character without making a fuss about it. You'll find it standing on the high street - proper dignified, with that red sandstone work that's common to this part of Dumfries and Galloway. The interior is straightforward and peaceful, the kind of space where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rare enough these days.

It's worth a quick look if you're passing through Lockerbie and have an hour to spare, particularly if you're interested in Scottish religious architecture or the social history of small Lowland towns. Don't expect anything ornate - this is honest, working-class Victorian design, and there's something rather appealing about that restraint. The church tells you something real about what mattered to folk here in the 1800s.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Hoddom Castle is just four miles away, or Queensberry Bay a touch closer - it's a natural half-hour diversion on your way into town. You'll probably have the place to yourself, which is fine. The churchyard's worth a wander too if you've got time. Getting specific opening times and admission details before you visit makes sense, as these smaller churches keep variable hours. It won't dominate your day, but if Victorian heritage and quiet corners appeal to you, it's well worth the detour from your holiday base.