In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Gilsland like this:
GILSLAND, a village and a chapelry in Lanercost parish, Cumberland. The village stands on the river Irthing, at the boundary with Northumberland, near the Roman wall, ¾ of a mile N of Rosehill r. station, and 8 NE of Brampton. It probably took its name from brooks or "gills" in its neighbourhood; it is surronnded by picturesque scenery; it has a sulphur spring, in much repute for medicinal virtues; it also commands a chalybeate spring on the Northumberland side of the Irthing; it has acquired much favour, by its springs, its climate, and its scenery, as a resort of invalids; it includes a large hotel or boarding-house, for their accommodation, situated on a sloping bank, with pleasant southern exposure; and it has a post office under Carlisle. ...
A fine waterfall, interesting vestiges of the Roman wall, various places of note in border history, and some scenes in Sir Walter Scott's "Guy Mannering, " particularly those relating to Meg Merrilees, are in the vicinity. Sir Walter Scott, during a visit to Gilsland, met and became attached to the lady who became his wife. The chapelry was constituted in 1855; and is a vicarage, annexed to Upper Denton. Pop., 224. The church is good.
Gilsland through time
A Vision of Britain through Time includes a large library of local statistics for administrative units. For the best overall sense of how the area containing Gilsland has changed, please see our redistricted information for the modern district of Tynedale. More detailed statistical data are available under Units and statistics, which includes both administrative units covering Gilsland and units named after it.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Gilsland, in Tynedale and Cumberland | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/20926
Date accessed: 24th May 2013
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