Hightae is a hamlet in the local government area of Dumfries and Galloway. Hightae is one of the “Royal Four Towns” of Lochmaben, founded as a royal town by King Robert I in the early 14th century as they were the first to declare for him after the murder of the Comyn. In Hightae portions of land were entrusted to experienced soldiers, who held them directly from the king Robert the Bruce and so were known as the “King’s Kindly Tenants” in Hightae and the other Royal Four Towns. They had the right to share the common lands and resources of woods and water around Hightae , making them unusually privileged throughout the centuries. In return the Kindly Tenants were obliged to provide provisions and garrisons when Lochmaben Castle was occupied by the King or his representatives.
Hightae lies close to the River Annan, only 10 minutes from the M74 at Lockerbie and is a bit of a hidden gem with the surrounding countryside offering an abundance of footpaths (the Annandale Way opened late 2009), river walks and quiet country lanes and is great for cycling.
Hightae has around 500 residents and has a local primary school, Hightae village hall and a small hotel, the Hightae Inn. Also in the centre of Hightae village at OS Map Ref: NY 093 789 is a Second World War memorial in memory of those who served from the Royal Four Towns.
