Alistair Moffat

Alistair Moffat (born 1950, Kelso, Scotland) is an award winning writer and journalist, former director of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Rector of the University of St Andrews.

Education

Moffat was educated at the University of St Andrews , graduating in 1972 with a degree in Medieval History . While at St Andrews Moffat earned first team caps in both rugby and cricket, also playing basketball and athletics.

Moffat was also active in student politics throughout his time at St Andrews, playing a leading role in the rectorial campaign of John Cleese, who went on to become one of St Andrews' best loved rectors.

After graduating from St Andrews in 1972, Moffat went on to earn degrees from the University of Edinburgh and the (then) University of London (MPhil). While at Edinburgh Moffat continued his involvement in student politics, campaigning with Gordon Brown, the second student elected rector of the University of Edinburgh. Moffat and Brown went on to campaign on a number of social and political issues including gay rights and the 1979 Edinburgh South by-election.

Moffat

Coordinates: 55°19′55″N 3°26′31″W / 55.332°N 3.442°W / 55.332; -3.442

Moffat (Scottish Gaelic: Am Magh Fada, "The Long Plain") is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lying on the River Annan, with a population of around 2,500. It was a centre of the wool trade and a spa town.

The Moffat House Hotel, located at the northern end of the High Street, was designed by John Adam. The nearby Star Hotel, a mere 20 ft (6 m) wide, boasted a record in the Guinness Book of Records as the narrowest hotel in the world. Moffat won the Britain in Bloom contest in 1996.

Moffat is the home to Moffat toffee.

The town is held to be the ancestral seat of Clan Moffat. The Devil's Beef Tub near Moffat was used by the members of Clan Moffat and later the members of Clan Johnstone to hoard cattle stolen in predatory raids.

Early tourism as a spa town

From 1633 Moffat began to grow from a small village into a popular spa town. The sulphurous and saline waters of Moffat Spa were believed to have healing properties, specifically curative for skin conditions, gout, rheumatism and stomach complaints. In 1730 these were complemented by the addition of iron springs. During the Victorian era the high demand led to the water being piped down from the well to a tank in Tank Wood and then on to a specially built bath house in the town centre (now the Town Hall).

Moffat (disambiguation)

Moffat is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.

Moffat may also refer to:

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Moffat (surname)

Moffat or Moffatt is a surname, of Scottish origin (see Clan Moffat). It may refer to:

List of people surnamed Moffat or Moffatt