Location and coordinates are for the approximate centre of Moffat within this administrative area. Geographic features and populated places may cross administrative borders.
Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew
Moffat, watering-place, Dumfriesshire, and par., partly also in Lanarkshire, on river Annan, 2 miles NE. of Beattock junction, 64 miles SW. of Edinburgh, 66½ miles SE. of Glasgow, and 332 miles NW. of London by rail - par., 42,972 ac., pop. 2930; town, pop. 2161; P.O., T.O., 3 Banks, 1 newspaper. Market-day, Friday. Situated near the head of Annandale, on a gentle slope rising from 340 to 400 ft. above sea-level, the town is well sheltered on the N. and E. by lofty ridges of hills. Moffat first became conspicuous as a watering-place in the latter half of the 18th century, and is now frequented by a great number of visitors in summer. Moffat Well is 1¼ mile to the NE.; the water, which is strongly impregnated with sulphur and various salts, is brought by pipes to the public baths in the town. There is a large hydropathic establishment in the vicinity. Moffat became a police burgh in 1864.