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This article is on the town in Scotland. For the place in Virginia see Dumfries, Virginia
Dumfries
Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris
Scots: Dumfries


A view over Dumfries
Dumfries (Scotland)
Dumfries

Dumfries shown within Scotland
Population 37,846 (2001 Census)
OS grid reference NX976762
Council area Dumfries and Galloway
Lieutenancy area Dumfries
Constituent country Scotland
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Post town Dumfries
Postcode district DG1/2
Dialling code 01387
Police Dumfries and Galloway
Fire Dumfries and Galloway
Ambulance Scottish
European Parliament Scotland
UK Parliament Dumfries and Galloway
Scottish Parliament Dumfries
List of places: UK • Scotland

Coordinates: 55°04′13″N 3°36′14″W / 55.0704, -3.6038

Dumfries (IPA: /dəmˈfriːs/), meaning either fort or ridge of the thicket, is a former royal burgh and town within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Dumfries is a town in Prince William County, Virginia, United States. Scottish Gaelic ( Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. Scots ( The Scots leid) refers to Anglic varieties derived from early northern Middle English spoken in parts of Scotland and Northern Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology A nationwide Census, commonly known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday 29 April 2001 The British national grid reference system is a system of geographic grid references commonly used in Great Britain, different from using Latitude and Longitude For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as Dumfries and Galloway ( Gaelic: Dùn Phris agus an Gall-Ghaidhealaibh, d̪̊unˈfɾʲiʃ aɡ̊əs̪ əŋ ɡ̊auɫ̪ɣəɫ̪əv is one of 32 council areas The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lord-lieutenants, the monarch 's representatives in Scotland. Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries ( Siorrachd Dhùn Phris in Gaelic) is a Registration county of Scotland. Constituent country is a phrase used often by official institutions in contexts in which a country makes up a part of a larger entity or grouping Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. This list of sovereign states, alphabetically arranged gives an overview of States around the world with information on the extent of their Sovereignty. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located A post town is a required part of all postal addresses in the United Kingdom, and a basic unit of the postal delivery system UK Postal codes are known as postcodes. UK postcodes are Alphanumeric. The, also known as the Dumfries postcode area, is a group of postal districts around Annan, Canonbie, Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie, The UK Telephone numbering plan, also known as the National Telephone Numbering Plan, is the system used for assigning Telephone numbers in the United There are a number of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom. Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the Police service for the council area of Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland. The fire service in the United Kingdom operates under separate legislative and administrative arrangements in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service is the Statutory fire and rescue sercvice for the area of Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. SASDivmap copyjpg|right|200px]] Helimed5jpg|thumb|right|EC-135 G-SASA "Helimed 5" based at Glasgow City Heliport]] The Scottish Ambulance Service ( Scottish Scotland constitutes a single Constituency of the European Parliament. This is a list of the 646 constituencies currently represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, as at the 2005 general election Dumfries and Galloway is a County constituency of in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Parliament ( Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament) is the devlolved national unicameral Dumfries is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament ( Holyrood) A Gazetteer of place names in the United Kingdom showing each place's County, Unitary authority or council area and its geographical coordinates This List of places in Scotland is a complete collection of lists of places in Scotland. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A royal burgh was a type of Scottish Burgh which had been founded by or subsequently granted a Royal charter. Dumfries and Galloway ( Gaelic: Dùn Phris agus an Gall-Ghaidhealaibh, d̪̊unˈfɾʲiʃ aɡ̊əs̪ əŋ ɡ̊auɫ̪ɣəɫ̪əv is one of 32 council areas Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain. It has a population of around 37,846 and sits close to the Solway Firth near the mouth of the River Nith. The Solway Firth is a Firth that forms part of the border between England and Scotland, between Cumbria (including the Solway Plain) and For the river in southwestern Ontario see Nith River. The River Nith (Abhainn Nid is the seventh longest river in Scotland Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. A county town is the 'capital' of a County in the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland. Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries ( Siorrachd Dhùn Phris in Gaelic) is a Registration county of Scotland. Its nickname is Queen of the South.

Contents

History

Foundation and early years

Dumfries was founded as a Royal Burgh in 1186 on the east side of the lowest crossing point of the River Nith. The location was around a mile downstream from Lincluden Collegiate Church but on the opposite bank of the Nith. Lincluden Collegiate Church, known earlier as Lincluden Priory or Lincluden Abbey, is a ruined religious house situated to the north of the Royal Burgh The ruins are on the site of the Bailey of the very early Lincluden Castle, as are those of the later Lincluden Tower. This religious house was founded circa. 1160 and was used for various purposes, until its abandonment around 1700. Lincluden College and its grounds are now within the Dumfries urban conurbation boundary.

The land beyond the Nith, Galloway, only securely became part of Scotland during Alexander II's reign in 1234: Dumfries was very much on the frontier during its first 50 years and it grew rapidly as a market town and port. Galloway ( Gaelic: Gall-Ghaidhealaibh, əŋ ɡauɫ̪ɣəɫ̪əv or Gallobha, Lowland Scots Gallowa) is an area in southwestern

A royal castle, which no longer exists, was built in the 13th century on the site of the present Castledykes Park. [1]

Robert the Bruce

Before becoming King of Scots, Robert the Bruce slew his rival the Red Comyn at Greyfriars Kirk in the town on 10 February 1306. The monarch of Scotland was the Head of state of the Kingdom of Scotland. Robert I King of Scots ( 11 July, 1274 &ndash 7 June, 1329) usually known in modern English as Robert the Bruce ( John III Comyn Lord of Badenoch or John "the Red", also known simply as the Red Comyn, (died 10 February 1306) was a Scottish nobleman Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead His uncertainty about the fatality of his stabbing caused one of his followers, Roger de Kirkpatrick, to utter the famous, "I mak siccar" ("I make sure") and finish the Comyn off. Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick of Closeburn (fl 1300s was a Scottish gentleman, and an associate of Robert the Bruce. Robert the Bruce was excommunicated as a result, less for the murder than for its location, but nonetheless went on to become King of Scotland. Today's Greyfriars Church was built in 1868, overlooking the site of the murder on the opposite side of Castle Street, marked by a plaque on a shop wall.

Devorgilla Bridge

The first bridge over the Nith, Devorgilla Bridge, named after Devorgilla, the mother of King John Balliol, was built here in 1432. Dervorguilla of Galloway (c 1210 - January 28, 1290) was a 'lady of substance' during the 13th century wife from 1223 of John 5th Baron de Balliol Rebuilt more than once and shortened from the east in the 19th century, this is still used by pedestrians and is one of Scotland's oldest standing bridges.

Invasion

It was not from Galloway but from England that most of Dumfries' problems came during its first 500 years. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland English armies variously sacked, plundered or occupied the town in 1300, 1448, 1536, 1542, 1547, and 1570. It suffered again during the strife of the 1640s.

Witchcraft and executions

Not all of Dumfries' bloody reputation was externally inflicted. Nine women were burned to death for witchcraft in the town in 1659, and two centuries later in 1868, Dumfries was the site of Scotland's last public hanging. Witchcraft, in various historical anthropological religious and mythological contexts is the use of certain kinds of Supernatural or magical powers Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death

Bonnie Prince Charlie and the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion

Opposite the fountain in Dumfries High Street, adjacent to the present Marks and Spencer, was the Commercial and later the County Hotel. Although the latter was demolished in the 1980s, the original facade of the building was kept. Room No. 6 of the hotel was known as Bonnie Prince Charlie's Room and appropriately carpeted in the Royal Stuart tartan. For the US politician see Charles E Stuart For "Betty Burke" see The 'Forty-Five' below The Royal Stewart Tartan is the Tartan of the royal House of Stewart, and is also the personal tartan of Queen Elizabeth II. The Young Pretender had his headquarters here during a 3-day sojourn in Dumfries towards the end of 1745. For the US politician see Charles E Stuart For "Betty Burke" see The 'Forty-Five' below £2,000 was demanded by the Prince, together with 1,000 pairs of brogues for his kilted Jacobite rebel army, which was camping in a field not one hundred yards distant. The Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings rebellions and wars in the kingdoms of England, Kingdom of Scotland (later the United Kingdom of Great Britain A rumour, however, that the Duke of Cumberland was approaching, made Bonnie Prince Charlie decide to leave with his army, with only £1,000 and 255 pairs of shoes having been handed over. Duke of Cumberland is a peerage title that was conferred upon junior members of the British royal family named after the county of Cumberland. [2]

Robert Burns

Today's Greyfriars Church overlooks the location of a statue of Robert Burns, sculpted in Italy in 1882. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Burns spent the last years of his life in Dumfries, dying here in 1796. The statue is just one of a series of associations with Scotland's most famous poet to be found in the town. Heading south past the spectacular Mid Steeple on the High Street, once the town tolbooth and prison, you come to a tiny vennel leading to the Globe Inn, his favourite drinking place.

There is also Robert Burns' house at 24 Burns Street, South of the High Street, and his mausoleum in St Michael's Churchyard. On the West side of the River Nith is the Robert Burns Centre, housed in what was once the Dumfries Mill. Beyond it is Dumfries Museum built partly in a windmill later converted to a camera obscura. A windmill is a machine that is powered by the energy of the wind The camera obscura (Latin dark chamber) is an optical device used for example in drawing or for entertainment In the suburb of Summerhill the majority of streets are named with Burns connotations. Summerhill in Dumfries is a post war residential suburb on the West side of the town

Governance

Dumfries hosts the headquarters of Dumfries and Galloway Council. The name Dumfries and Galloway is given to one of Scotland's 32 council areas comprising the former (1975-96) districts of Nithsdale, Annandale and Eskdale, the Stewartry of Kirkcudbrightshire, the Machars and Wigtownshire. For local government purposes Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as Nithsdale ( Srath Nid in Scottish Gaelic) also known by its anglicised gaelic name Strathnith or Stranit, is the valley of the River Nith Annandale and Eskdale is a Committee area in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Stewartry 1975-date Machars ( Gd Machair ( Ghallghaidhealaibh) lit "the Plains (of Galloway" is a Peninsula in Galloway in the south-west The County of Wigtown, or Wigtownshire ( Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Uige) is a Registration county in the south west of Scotland Dumfries also lends its name to the Lieutenancy Area of Dumfries, which is similar in boundaries to the former Dumfriesshire county. The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for the ceremonial lord-lieutenants, the monarch 's representatives in Scotland.

Dumfries is centre to Scotland’s smallest police force [3]. It took part in one the largest criminal investigations in modern history when neighbouring town, Lockerbie, was devastated by the events that took place on board Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988. Lockerbie ( Scottish Gaelic: Logarbaidh) is a town in the Dumfries and Galloway region of south-western Scotland. Events 69 - The end of the Year of the four emperors: Following Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)

Geography

Whitesands, from Buccleuch Street
Whitesands, from Buccleuch Street
The Buccleuch Street Bridge
The Buccleuch Street Bridge
Devorgilla Bridge
Devorgilla Bridge
The Old Bridge House
The Old Bridge House
The Caul and the Old Bridge
The Caul and the Old Bridge

Like the rest of Dumfries and Galloway, of Scotland's three major geographical areas Dumfries lies in the Southern Uplands. The Southern Uplands is the southernmost of Scotland 's three major geographic areas (the others being the Central Belt and the Highlands)

The river Nith runs through Dumfries in a southwards direction. There are several bridges across the river in the town. In between the Devorgilla (also knows as 'The Old Bridge') and the suspension bridges is a weir colloquially known as 'The Caul'. Dervorguilla of Galloway (c 1210 - January 28, 1290) was a 'lady of substance' during the 13th century wife from 1223 of John 5th Baron de Balliol WEIR (1430 AM) is a Radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format In wetter months of the year the Nith can still flood the surrounding streets in the town centre.

Although serving a relatively small population, Dumfries is divided into several key districts.

Dumfries High Street hosts many of the historical, social and commercial centres of the town. During the 1990s, these areas enjoyed various aesthetic recognitions from organisations including Britain in Bloom. Britain in Bloom is a horticultural competition in the United Kingdom.

Fountain and Midsteeple on Dumfries High St
Fountain and Midsteeple on Dumfries High St

Towards the end of 2005, the Bell Tower of the town's Midsteeple was dismantled conceding to safety concerns of its structural integrity. This event caused much controversy within the town on the council’s capability to maintain key features. The landmark is now in the final stages of renovation, the costs of which are estimated to be around £1. 6m. [4]

Dumfries has several suburbs including Summerhill, Troqueer, Georgetown, Larchfield, Calside, Lochside, Lincluden, Sandside, Heathhall, Locharbriggs, Noblehill and Marchmount. Summerhill in Dumfries is a post war residential suburb on the West side of the town Maxwelltown to the west of the river Nith, was formerly a Burgh in its own right within The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (also known as Kirkcudbrightshire) until its incorporation into Dumfries in 1928; Troqueer, a settlement situated to the south west of Dumfries was part of the Burgh of Maxwelltown. Maxwelltown ( Gd Ceann Drochaid) is a suburb of Dumfries, in south west Scotland. The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (kɚˈkuːbriː Siorrachd Chille Chuithbheirt in Gaelic) or Kirkcudbrightshire (kɚˈkuːbriːʃɚ was formerly a Summerhill, Lochside, Lincluden, Sandside are among other suburbs located on the Maxwelltown side of the river. Palmerston Park, home to the town's senior football team Queen of the South, is on Terregles Street, also on the Maxwelltown side of the river. Palmerston Park is a multi-use Stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, South West Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland

Economy

Growth

Dumfries has a long history as the county town of a rural backwater. The rich agricultural land between the hills and the sea has for many hundreds of years been carved up into huge estates controlled by hereditary ruling class interests. Since the arrival of the railways a strong middle class has grown in the town and county. The abandonment of the traditional rural economy over the past one hundred years has pulled the very disadvantaged poor from communities scattered across the countryside into local authority and other social housing schemes, and low grade commercial housing, generally in the towns. The displacement of the whole spectrum of the local rural population by the purchasing power of incomers is moving ever faster at the start of the 21st century. The overall effect of this process is to decrease the sustainability of Dumfries as an economic area, and to increase its subsidiary relationship to the north of England and the Scottish central belt.

Decline

In recent years, there has been a significant decline in the strength and vitality of local economy. This decline is closely related to a vast change in regional demographics with a noticeable number of inhabitants, many of a young age, emigrating to other parts of the United Kingdom to seek employment [5] and further education. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Regeneration

In a bid to stimulate a development in Dumfries, both economically and in a social context, several strategies have been proposed by the controlling authorities. [6]

In January 2006, Dumfries & Galloway Council announced plans to build a £16 million leisure facility, named DG1, at Hoods Loaning near the town centre, which opened in May 2008. [7]

Culture

Queen of the South - origins of the name

Dumfries got its nickname 'Queen of the South' from David Dunbar, a local poet, who in 1857 stood in the General Election. for the New Zealand politician see David Buick (New Zealand David Dunbar Buick was a Scottish -born American Inventor A general election is an Election in which all or most members of a given political body are up for election In one of his addresses he called Dumfries "Queen of the South" and this became synonymous with the town.

Doonhamers

People from Dumfries are nicknamed Doonhamers. This is because when in towns in Scotland further North (i. e. most places due to the position of Dumfries on the southern edge of Scotland) they would refer to Dumfries as 'Doon hame'. 'Doon hame' being Scots for 'Down home'.

The Doonhamers is also the nickname of Queen of the South representing Dumfries and the surrounding area in the Scottish Football League. Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland

A Lore Burne

The crest of Dumfries contains the words, "A Lore Burne". In the history of Dumfries close to the town was the marsh through which ran the Loreburn whose name became the rallying cry of the town in times of attack - A Lore Burne (meaning 'to the muddy stream'). [8] [9] [10]

Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura

Located on top of a small hill, Dumfries Museum is centred around the 18th century windmill which stands above the town. Included are fossil footprints left by prehistoric reptiles, the Wildlife of the Solway marshes, tools and weapons of the earliest peoples of the region, stone carvings of Scotland's first Christians and everyday things of the Victorian farm, workshop and home. On the top floor of the museum is the Camera Obscura. This historic instrument gives panoramic views over the town; on clear days the range is many miles. [11]

Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum

Based in the control tower of R. A control tower, or more specifically an air traffic control tower is the name of the airport building from which the Air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft A. F Tinwald Downs the museum has an extensive indoor display of memorabilia which strives to preserve aviation heritage, much of which has come via various recovery activities. Aviation refers to activities involving man-made flying devices ( Aircraft) including the people organizations and regulatory bodies involved with them During the second world war, aerial navigation was taught at Dumfries also at Wigtown and nearby Annan was a fighter training unit. It is not to be confused with the town in north-west England called Wigton Wigtown ( Gd: Baile na h-Uige The former Royal burgh of Annan ( Gaelic: Anainn) is a well-built town red Sandstone being the material mainly used R. A. F Dumfries doubled as an important maintenance unit and aircraft storage unit. The museum is run by the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Group and is the only private aviation museum in Scotland. It has considerably increased in size in recent years making room for a new shop display area, picnic area etc. The control tower has been re-roofed, the pathways given metalled surfaces and much other work has been done. [12]

The restored control tower of the former WWII airfield is now a listed building. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including An aerodrome is an area on land or water (including any buildings installations and equipment used for the arrival and departure of aircraft The museum is run by volunteers and houses a large and ever expanding aircraft collection, aero engines and a display of artefacts and personal histories relating to aviation, past and present. Both civil aviation and military aviation are represented. Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying representing all non- Military aviation, both private and commercial Military aviation is the use of Aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare including national airlift ( Cargo) capacity There is also a small collection of memorabilia honouring airborne forces, a new display representing aviation in Scotland and a mock-up of a WWII living room are now complete. [13]

Theatre Royal

The Theatre Royal, Dumfries was built in 1792 and is the oldest working theatre in Scotland. [14]

The theatre is owned by the Guild of Players who bought it in 1959, thereby saving it from demolition, and is run on a voluntary basis by the members of the Guild of Players. It is funded entirely by Guild membership subscriptions, and by box office receipts. It does not currently receive any grant aid towards running costs.

In recent years the theatre has been re-roofed and the outside refurbished. It is the venue for the Guild of Players' own productions and for performances from visiting companies. These include: Scottish Opera, TAG, the Borderline and 7:84. 784 is a Scottish Left-wing Agitprop theatre group The name comes from a statistic published in The Economist in 1966 that 7%

In addition it is extensively used for Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival, Dumfries Music Festival, the Dumfries Musical and Operatic Society.

The Guild of Players was founded as an amateur dramatic company in 1913. It has put on a season of plays for all but six of the 94 years since then. There were no productions between 1915 and 1919, and none in 1944. Nowadays the Guild puts on a season of five plays (each running for a week) and a pantomime (running for a fortnight) every year. Every job, from directing the plays to serving the coffee in the intervals, is undertaken voluntarily by the Guild members. There are no paid staff in the Theatre.

The plays are open to the public but taking out membership of the Guild brings entitlement to priority ticket booking at half price.

Cinema

There are 2 cinemas in Dumfries. The Odeon shows typically mainstream films. The Robert Burns Centre shows mainstream productions and also independent films.

Art

A collection of over 400 Scottish paintings, Gracefield Arts Centre hosts a changing programme of exhibitions featuring regional, national and international artists and craft-makers. Facilities include darkroom, pottery, studios, bar/cafe, craft shop, and car parking. Studios and ground floor galleries accessible to wheelchair users. [15]

Burns Howff Club

The Burns Howff Club was formed in the Globe Inn, Dumfries, South West Scotland in 1889, and meets on 25 January each year to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns in 1759 with a Burns Supper. Events 41 - After a night of negotiation Claudius is accepted as Roman Emperor by the Senate The Club takes its name from a reference by Robert Burns to the Globe Inn being his favourite "Howff", an old Scottish term for a meeting place.

The Howff Club has an extensive library of Burns works and the works of other Scottish poets and literary figures. Members are always pleased to welcome visitors to the Globe Inn and Dumfries, and to host Burns Suppers at The Globe Inn or other venues.

The club runs Robert Burns walking tours Dumfries.

Festivals

There are a number of festivals which take place throughout the year, mostly based on traditional values.

Guid Neighbours

Guid Neighbours (Guid Nychburris in Middle Scots) is the main festival of the year, a ceremony which is largely based on the theme of a positive community spirit. Middle Scots describes the language of Anglic Lowland Scotland in the period 1450 to 1700

Scottish communities granted Royal Burgh status by the monarch guarded the honour jealously and with vigour. Riding the Marches maintains the tradition of an occasion that was, in its day, of great importance. Dumfries has been a Royal Burgh since 1186, its charter being granted by King Robert III in a move that ensured the loyalty of its citizens to the Monarch.

Although far from the centre of power in Scotland, Dumfries had obvious strategic significance sitting as it does on the edge of Galloway and being the centre of control for the south west of Scotland.

With the River Nith on two sides and the Lochar Moss on another, Dumfries was a town with good natural defences. Consequently it was never completely walled. A careful eye still had to be kept on the clearly defined boundaries of the burgh, a task that had to be taken each year by the Provost, Baillies, Burgesses and others within the town.

Neighbouring landowners might try to encroach on the town boundaries, or the Marches as they were known, moving them back 100 yards or so to their own benefit. It had to be made clear to anyone thinking of or trying to encroach that they dare not do so.

In return for the Royal status of the town and the favour of the King, the Provost and his council, along with other worthies of the town had to be diligent in ensuring the boundaries were strictly observed. Although steeped in history, Scotland's burghs remained the foundation of the country's system of local government for centuries. Burgh status conferred on its citizens the right to elect their own town councils, run their own affairs and raise their own local taxes or rates.

In 1974 the burghs became part of larger districts and regions. Those boundaries lost the significance they were granted by Royal statute. Ancient titles like Provost and Bailie were discarded or retained only for ceremonial purposes. Robes and chains often found their way into museums as a reminder of the past.

Dumfries remains a centre of local government for a much bigger area than just the town itself. But its people, the Doonhamers still retain a pride in their town and distinctive identity. This is never more so than during the week long Guid Nychburris Festival and its highlight the Riding of the Marches which takes place on the third Saturday in June each year.

The ceremony on Guid Nychburris Day, follows a route and sequence of events laid down in the mists of time. Formal proceedings start at 7. 30am with the gathering of up to 250 horses waiting for the courier to arrive and announce that the Pursuivant is on his way, and at 8. 00am leave the Midsteeple and ride out to meet the Pursuivant. They then proceed to Ride the Marches and Stob and Nog (mark the boundary with posts and flags) before returning to the Midsteeple at 12. 15pm to meet the Provost and then the Charter is proclaimed to the towns people of Dumfries. This is then followed by the crowning of the Queen of the South. [16]

Places of interest around Dumfries

Dumfries is recognised as a good centre for visiting the surrounding area. [17] The following are all within easy reach:-

Sport

Dumfries' Palmerston Park on Terregles Street is the home ground of Scottish First Division team Queen of the South. Palmerston Park is a multi-use Stadium on Terregles Street in Dumfries, South West Terregles is a village and parish near Dumfries, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Sponsorship On July 20, 2007, it was announced that Scottish Football League would be sponsored by Scottish soft drink Irn-Bru Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland This is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith. They reached the Scottish Cup final in May 2008. The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, usually known as the Scottish Cup, is the national football cup competition of Scotland

The town is also home to Solway Sharks ice hockey team who play at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. The Solway Sharks are an Ice hockey team from Dumfries, Scotland formed in 1998 Ice hockey, often referred to simply as hockey, is a team Sport played on Ice.

Dumfries is also home to a number of high quality golf courses. Among these are:

Of those is listed only the Dumfries and Galloway Golf Club is on the Maxwelltown side of the River Nith. This course is also bisected into 2 halves of 9 holes each by the town's Castle Douglas Road. The club house and holes 1 to 7 and 17 and 18 are on the side nearest to Summerhill. Holes 8 to 16 are on the side nearest to Janefield.

Transport

Dumfries is linked to the A74(M) motorway Northbound via the A701 road. The A74(M and M74 motorways are two major Motorways in Scotland running continuously from the southern outskirts of Glasgow to the English Border at The A701 is a major road in Scotland, that runs from Dumfries to Edinburgh. The A75 road eastbound links Dumfries to the southbound A74(M). The A75 is a major road in Scotland, heading west along the south coast of Scotland from its junction with the A74(M motorway at Gretna. The A75 road west links Dumfries with the ferry port of Stranraer. Stranraer ( Gaelic: An t-Sròn Reamhar, ən̴̪ t̪ɾɔːn ɾãũ The A76 road connects to Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. The A76 is a major Trunk road in south west Scotland. Starting at Kilmarnock in East Ayrshire, the A76 goes through or immediately by-passes Kilmarnock (Cill Meàrnaig locally known as Killie) is a large Burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44170 Ayrshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Àir ʃir̴əxg̊ iɲiɾʲˈaːɾʲ is a Registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland,

Dumfries railway station lies on the Glasgow South Western Line, the train service is operated by private company FirstScotrail which provides services to Glasgow and Carlisle, and less frequent services connect Dumfries with Stranraer. Dumfries railway station serves the town of Dumfries in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The Glasgow South Western Line is a mainline railway in Scotland that runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, and then either Carlisle via Dumfries Stranraer ( Gaelic: An t-Sròn Reamhar, ən̴̪ t̪ɾɔːn ɾãũ The nearest station to Dumfries on the West Coast Mainline is 12 miles east along the A709 road at Lockerbie. The West Coast Main Line (WCML is a busy mixed-traffic railway route in the United Kingdom. Lockerbie ( Scottish Gaelic: Logarbaidh) is a town in the Dumfries and Galloway region of south-western Scotland.

Maxwelltown station in the Summerhill district of the town was closed as part of the Beeching Axe in the 1960s. The Beeching Axe is an informal name for the British Government 's attempt in the 1960s to reduce the cost of running British Railways, the nationalised railway system

Education

Dumfries has several primary schools, approximately one per key district, and four main secondary schools. All of these institutions are governed by Dumfries and Galloway council. Dumfries and Galloway ( Gaelic: Dùn Phris agus an Gall-Ghaidhealaibh, d̪̊unˈfɾʲiʃ aɡ̊əs̪ əŋ ɡ̊auɫ̪ɣəɫ̪əv is one of 32 council areas The secondary schools are:

Dumfries Academy was a grammar school until adopting instead a comprehensive format in the Summer of 1983. Dumfries Academy is one of four secondary schools in the town of Dumfries in South West Scotland Dumfries High School is a Secondary school in Dumfries, in Dumfries and Galloway, in Scotland. Maxwelltown High School is one of four secondary schools in the town of Dumfries in South West Scotland St Joseph's College is situated on the Craigs Road in Dumfries, South West Scotland A grammar school is one of several different types of School in the history of education in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries

In 1999 Scotland's first multi-institutional university campus was established in Dumfries. Located within the 85-acre Crichton estate, it is host to the University of Glasgow, the University of the West of Scotland (UWS)(formerly known as University of Paisley & Bell College), and Dumfries & Galloway College. The University of Glasgow (Oilthigh Ghlaschu was founded in 1451 in Glasgow, Scotland and along with its contemporary institutions the University of St Andrews The University of the West of Scotland ( Scottish Gaelic: Oilthigh na h-Alba an Iar traces its roots to the late 19th century Paisley, Scotland. Dumfries and Galloway College is a Further education College in Dumfries and Galloway, with campuses in Dumfries, Stranraer and Still in its infancy, the campus offers a limited number of degree courses in Liberal Arts, Business Studies, Environmental Sustainability, Computing, Social Work and Nursing. [17] On January 16th 2007, the University of Glasgow announced that it was 'scaling' down its activities at the campus due to money problems, although there is a campaign to retain provision [18].

Parks

Dumfries has some parks with the most significant all being in or close to the town centre:-

Architectural geology

There are many buildings in Dumfries made from sandstone of the local Locharbriggs quarry.

The quarry is situated off the A701 just north of Dumfries at Locharbriggs close to the nearby aggregates quarry. This dimension stone quarry is a large quarry. Quarry working at Lochabriggs dates from the 18th century, and the quarry has been worked continuously since 1890.

There are good reserves of stone that can be extracted at several locations. On average the stone is available at depths of 1m on bed although some larger blocks are obtainable. The average length of a block is 1. 5m but 2. 6m blocks can be obtained.

Locharbriggs is from the New Red Sandstone of the Permian age. It is a medium-grained stone ranging in colour from dull red to pink.

Local journalism

The two local newspapers that specifically cover Dumfries and the surrounding are:-

Notable people

Burns Statue in front of Greyfriars Church
Burns Statue in front of Greyfriars Church

Dumfries was the hometown of Robert Burns from 1791 until his death in 1796. Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796 (also known as Rabbie Burns, Scotland's favourite son, the Ploughman Poet, the Bard of Ayrshire The poet is now buried in St. Michael’s Churchyard in the Burns Mausoleum. Burns was born in Ayrshire and spent many years there before moving to Dumfriesshire.

A number of well-known people were educated at Dumfries Academy, among them Henry Duncan, founder of the world's first commercial savings bank, Sir James Anderson, who captained the SS Great Eastern on the Trans-Atlantic telegraph cable-laying voyages in 1865 and 1866,[31] James Matthew Barrie, author of Peter Pan, missionary Jane Haining, international diplomat Alexander Knox Helm, John Laurie, actor (Private Fraser in Dad's Army), artist Robin Philipson, singer John Hanson, Alexander S Graham, cartoonist best known for the Fred Bassett series and Jock Wishart, who in 1998 set a new world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powered vessel. Dumfries Academy is one of four secondary schools in the town of Dumfries in South West Scotland Henry Duncan (8 October 1774 &ndash 12 February 1846 was the minister of Ruthwell parish church in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and founded the History Concept After the Great Exhibition of 1851 which had publicized Australia's wealth and natural resources waves of people were eager to emigrate from Sir James Matthew Barrie 1st Baronet OM ( 9 May, 1860 &ndash 19 June, 1937) more commonly known as J Peter Pan is a fictional character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J Jane Haining ( 6 June 1897 - 17 July 1944) was a Church of Scotland Sir Alexander Knox Helm, GBE, KCMG (23 March 1893 &ndash 7 March 1964 British diplomat was Ambassador to Turkey and the last Governor-General For the Canadian mountain see Mount John Laurie. John Paton Laurie (25 March 1897 &ndash 23 June 1980 was a Scottish Dad’s Army is a British sitcom about the Home Guard in the Second World War. Sir Robin Philipson (1916 &ndash 1992 was a Lancashire -born painter who was influential within the Scottish art scene for over three decades John Hanson ( August 31, 1922 - December 3, 1998) was a Canadian Singer and Actor who starred in several [32][33] Sir Frank Williams of F1 motor racing fame was educated at St Joseph's College, Dumfries. Sir Francis Owen Garbatt Williams CBE (born April 16 1942 is founder and manager of the WilliamsF1 Formula One racing team St Joseph's College is situated on the Craigs Road in Dumfries, South West Scotland

Dumfries is also the hometown of former F1 racer Allan McNish. Biography Early career Allan McNish began his career in karting and like fellow Scottish driver David Coulthard, was recognised with a McLaren/Autosport Scotland international rugby union player Nick De Luca was born in Dumfries as was professional golfer Andrew Coltart. Overview See also Playing rugby union A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes (plus stoppage time with a short Nick De Luca born 1 February 1984 in Dumfries, South West Scotland is a Rugby union player for Edinburgh Rugby Junior and amateur Coltart was born in Dumfries. As an amateur he won the 1987 Scottish Boys Championship and the 1991 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship and participated

BBC Broadcaster Kirsty Wark was born in the town as was fellow broadcaster Stephen Jardine. Kirsteen Anne Wark (born 3 February, 1955) is a Scottish Journalist and Television presenter best known for fronting the BBC Stephen Jardine (born 1963 is a Scottish television broadcaster currently co-presenting STV 's daily news and current affairs programme The Five Thirty Show Neil Oliver (archaeologist, historian, author and broadcaster), grew up in Ayr and Dumfries. Neil Oliver (born Ayr, 1967) is a Scottish archaeologist historian author and broadcaster known for his distinctive voice and long black hair

Ray Wilson, lead singer of Stiltskin and later Genesis was born in Dumfries. Ray Wilson (born 8 September 1968 in Dumfries) is a Scottish musician best known as vocalist in the Grunge band Stiltskin and in Genesis Stiltskin is a Post-grunge / rock band who first achieved widespread popularity in the mid-1990s Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967 With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists Record producer Calvin Harris also hails from Dumfries. Calvin Harris (born January 17 1984) is a Scottish While Bill Drummond is from Newton Stewart he is one of the Queen of the South fans included here. William Ernest Drummond (born April 29, 1953, Butterworth South Africa) is a Scottish musician music industry figure writer and artist Newton Stewart ( Gd Baile Ur nan Stiùbhartach) is a Burgh town in the south of Scotland in the west of the region of Dumfries and Galloway Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland [34]

John McFarlane, CEO of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ) originates from the town. John McFarlane retired in 2007 as the chief executive of the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ANZ one of Australia's leading banks after a very successful The architect George Corson who worked mainly in Leeds, England, was born in Dumfries and articled to Walter Newall in the town. George Corson (1829-1910 was a Scottish architect active in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. Leeds ( is located on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, England England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

John Richardson, naturalist, explorer and naval surgeon was born in Dumfries as was Malcolm H. Sir John Richardson ( November 5, 1787 &ndash June 5, 1865) was a Scottish naval surgeon, naturalist Wright, father of Sophie B. Wright – New Orleans' educator and pioneer for women and children's rights. Sophie Bell Wright (1866 - 6 April, 1912) was a New Orleans Louisiana educator

The best known footballers of their eras to come from Dumfries are probably Dave Halliday, Bobby Ancell, Billy Houliston and Willie McNaught. David "Dave" Halliday ( December 11 1901 – January 1970 was a Scottish footballing prolific goalscorer and trophy winning manager Robert Francis Dudgeon Ancell ( 16 June 1911 &ndash 5 July 1987) was a Scottish football player and manager William "Billy" Houliston ( 4 April 1921 &ndash 10 February 1999) was a Scottish footballer who played for Willie McNaught (born William McNaught Dumfries, 7 May 1922) was a Scottish football player Halliday and Houliston were both Queen of the South players during their careers. Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries in south-west Scotland Dominic Matteo was born in Dumfries but moved to England while still a young boy. Dominic Matteo (born 28 April 1974 in Dumfries) is a Scottish footballer. Barry Nicholson lost 4 - 3 to Queens playing for Aberdeen in the 2008 Scottish Cup semi-finals despite scoring. Barry Nicholson (born 24 August 1978 in Dumfries, Dumfries and Galloway) is a Scottish professional football Aberdeen Football Club (also known as The Dons, The Reds and The Dandies) is a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup, usually known as the Scottish Cup, is the national football cup competition of Scotland Ancell, Houliston, McNaught and Nicholson have represented Scotland. Matteo gained 6 full caps for Scotland after having represented England at under-21 level. Halliday was overlooked by Scotland in favour of Hughie Gallacher who played for Queens but was not from Dumfries. Hugh Kilpatrick "Hughie" Gallacher ( 2 February 1903 – 11 June 1957) was a Scottish football player in

Twin towns

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/dumfries/dumfries/
  2. ^ Walks in Burns Country - Town Centre
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ [2]
  5. ^ [3]
  6. ^ [4]
  7. ^ [5]
  8. ^ Official Queen of the South Site
  9. ^ Official Queen of the South Site
  10. ^ Dumfries and Galloway Museums and Galleries on-line
  11. ^ http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/frames.html
  12. ^ http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk
  13. ^ http://www.dumfriesaviationmuseum.com/
  14. ^ http://www.guildofplayers.co.uk/
  15. ^ www. web-link. co. uk/gracefield. htm
  16. ^ www.guidnychburris.co.uk
  17. ^ http://www.scottishholidays.net/visit/scotland-tour-dumfries-dumfries.html
  18. ^ [6]
  19. ^ [7]
  20. ^ [8]
  21. ^ [9]
  22. ^ [10]
  23. ^ [11]
  24. ^ [12]
  25. ^ [13]
  26. ^ [14]
  27. ^ [15]
  28. ^ [16]
  29. ^ icDumfries - Dumfries & Galloway Standard News
  30. ^ Dumfries Courier - Regionwide news from your weekly newspaper
  31. ^ History of the Atlantic Cable & Submarine Telegraphy - Great Eastern
  32. ^ Cable And Wireless Adventurer Trimaran Diesel Powered Jock Wishart Jules Verne Trophy Record Nigel Irens Boat Design
  33. ^ MiniWeb: Schools Services - Secondary Schools - Dumfries Academy
  34. ^ Optimo Echatio ~ View topic - taboo subject on here

External links

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