Expert: Mark Smith - 6/29/2007

Question
Hi Mark,
My GG Grandfather lived in Galloway but was also a director of the East India
Co and had a house in Mayfair. How do you suppose he would have travelled
to and fro? Maybe he got a boat from Stranraer? It must have taken weeks
overland mustn't it?
Best,
Jamie.

Answer
Hello Jamie.
It would almost certainly have been overland. Sea journeys was far more dangerous and only undertaken when absolutely necessary, such as crossing the Channel. By 1830 the roads were improving following the introduction of toll roads where money was raised from travellers for the maintenance of the roads.
In 1830 it took only two days to travel from Edinburgh to London by stagecoach, so presumably it was the same from Galloway via Carlisle.
Mark