The 'Runner' is a deep and broad ditch that was dug many years ago to link the three lochs of Lowes, Black, and Creoch.

[4] Robert Gordon's map of 1636-52 shows only a single loch in the area with an outflow only, running into the River Nith.

[10] The loch lay within the Lands of Boreland, held by the Hamilton family since circa late 14th to early 15th centuries.

[15] The Blackloch Burn, controlled by a sluice at the loch's northerly outflow, ran as a lade to the site of the old Borland Mill and its millpond.

This would have resulted in part of the waters of the River Nith flowing onto the Clyde rather than the Solway, however the development was never carried to fruition.