Ae, Dumfries and Galloway

Coordinates: 55°11′10″N 3°35′49″W / 55.186°N 3.597°W / 55.186; -3.597

Ae (pronounced /eɪ/) is a village in Dumfries and Galloway, south west Scotland. The village is located within a conifer forest of more than 15,000 acres (61 km²), and is approximately 9 miles (14 km) north of Dumfries.

History

Robert Chambers wrote of the Ae area in 1826, describing it as a moor with a glen (known as Glenae), whose inhabitants were "long famed for broils, battles, and feats of activity". Chambers wrote that most men in the area were employed in farming and transporting goods on horseback between the village and Glasgow, as well as the cities of Carlisle and Manchester. These "lads of Ae" had a reputation that preceded them, being famous for "cudgel-playing [and] boxing" at every fair and wedding the area held.

The village of Ae is one of the youngest villages in Britain, having been founded in 1947 by the Forestry Commission.

Geography

The village is situated between the Water of Ae and the Goukstane Burn after they have flowed out of the Forest of Ae. The population is approximately 200, with 50 dwellings. Facilities in the village include a public house (formerly the post office), a school and community hall.