HISTORY
The Hightae InnThe building was once the village post office and general store before conversion to a hotel in the mid 1970’s (as The Royal Four Towns Hotel).
The hotel has always been known locally as the “Hightae pub” and during it’s refurbishment in January 2008, the decision was taken to change the name to reflect it’s exact location.
The Royal Four Towns
Robert the Bruce lived in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. He died in 1329 aged 55. After the Battle of Bannockburn, loyal tenants etc who had fought for the King were granted lands in GREENHILL, HECK, HIGHTAE and SMALLHOLM. These villages later became known as the ROYAL FOUR TOWNS OF LOCHMABEN.
The tract of land comprising this ancient barony is remarkably fertile. The tenants of the lands around the villages were formerly called the "King's tenants," and the "Crown's rentallers," the property having constituted part of the original royal domains, or proper patrimony of the crown. It was incumbent on the tenants to furnish provisions and other necessaries for the use of the royal fortress of Lochmaben, and it is probable that the tenants themselves composed the garrison of the castle, which existed as a border defence till the union of the crowns.
