Introduction

This evening, I am focusing on Dumfries (pop 48,000), the largest town in South-West Scotland. This town displays a long history. The name may derive from Gaelic, being a combination of Dun (fort) and preas (thicket). It may have been founded during the the Iron-Age (about 2000 years ago).

Location is near the mouth of the River Nith which empties into the Solway Firth. This is about 25 miles by road from the Anglo-Scottish border 

A summary of the last 1000 years is provided below.

Information on Dumfries

• Established as a small village in AD1100 in the then separate Kingdom of Galloway. Subsequently grew in size and importance to become the Royal Burgh of Dumfries within 100 years.
• Castle founded in 1185 and replaced by a stone castle in the 1260s. By the 13th century three more castles had been built.
• In February 1306 Robert the Bruce stabbed John Comyn to death in Greyfrairs Church. This act presaged Bruce’s control of the Scottish Crown.
• Seven Trade Guilds established  by the late 1500s.
• From earliest times the town was empowered to hold two weekly markets.
• In the 17th century, Dumfries was embroiled in the religious strife linked to covenanting
• During December 1745 the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied Dumfries and demanded a fine of two thousand pounds. This military adventure was known as the Jacobite Uprising (which ultimately failed).
• Dumfries prospered on the back of a diversity of trades and industries. Activities included tanning, leather-working, shoe-making, clog making, saddlery, brewing, distilling and milling. Hat-making  prospered briefly but failed by the 1860s. Hosiery and tweed manufacture were also important in the 19th century.
• During the early part of the 20th century a motor car industry flourished. There was the Arrol-Johnson car and then the Galloway car.
• Perhaps the town’s best claim to fame is via the Robert Burns connection, Scotland’s National Poet. Burns visited Dumfries in 1787  to purchase a farm and moved into a new house there in 1789. Burns died at Dumfries in 1796 age 37 years. Below is an image of the Globe Inn where Burns was a regular customer. 

Dumfries usually features in a tour of the Scottish Borders region.

More information for the tourist

The publication Visitors’ Guide to Scotland includes sections on Robert Burns and the Scottish Borders region. ISBN is 978-1-9161332-0-4. Also available via Kindle.