River Sark

The River Sark, or Sark Water, is a river that forms part of the western border between Scotland and England. Most of its length lies entirely in Scotland. It flows into the estuary of the River Esk just south of Gretna. The river’s name appears in Robert Burns’ poem about Scotland’s loss of independence. The area around the Sark was once marshy and sandy, typical of the north-west Irish Sea coast. The river is linked to an important Scottish victory in 1448. In October of that year, the Scots defeated the English at the Battle of Sark. This was a rare triumph for Scotland at the time. The poem by Burns mentions the Sark as a marker of England’s dominance after the Treaty of Union. The nearby town of Gretna Green is famous for its wedding industry. The lower end of the Sark and the River Esk form an area known as the ‘debatable lands’. This stretch was once a refuge for criminals and outlaws. The boundary between the Sark and the Esk is called the Scots’ Dike. The river’s estuary and surrounding marshes offer quiet walks and views of the Solway sands.