The route at that time is now roughly followed by the A75 road. The route was a haven for bandits and highwaymen at the time, and travellers would often stop in the area rather than continue their journey at night, to avoid the high numbers of outlaws.

Much of the town's early development was attributable to the entrepreneur James Murray's decision to build his summer home, Cally House, in the area. In 1795, Murray successfully petitioned George III to grant Gatehouse of Fleet Burgh of Barony