Alright folks, gather ’round! 👋 Let’s have a wee chat about Dumfries, a bonnie town right here in Dumfries & Galloway. I’ve had a good read of its Wikipedia page, and let me tell you, it’s got a fascinating story to tell! So, buckle up, and let’s dive into what makes Dumfries so special. 🏴
Dumfries: The Queen of the South 👑
First off, Dumfries (/dʌmˈfriːs/ ⓘ dum-FREESS) has a couple of other names you might hear. In Scots, it’s simply “Dumfries,” and in Scottish Gaelic, it’s “Dùn Phris” ([ˌt̪un ˈfɾʲiʃ]). It’s a proper market town and used to be a royal burgh – fancy that! It sits near where the River Nith meets the Solway Firth, which is about 25 miles (40 km) from the border with England. Plus, it’s the main town of the historic county of Dumfriesshire.
Did you know that Dumfries is nicknamed the “Queen of the South”? 👸 It’s also the name of the local fitba’ (football) club, so you’ll hear that a lot around here! And if you’re from Dumfries, you’re known as a “Doonhamer” in Scots. Pretty cool, eh? 😎
Where Did the Name Come From? 🤔
Now, the name “Dumfries” has got a few interesting theories behind it. Most likely, it comes from Celtic roots, maybe a mix of Brythonic and Gaelic.
- One popular idea is that “Dumfries” comes from the Gaelic “Dùn Phris,” which means “Fort of the Thicket.” 🌳
- Another thought is that the first part could be from “drum” or “dronn-” (meaning “ridge” or “hump,” like the Gaelic “druim”) or maybe “Dùn” meaning “fort.”
- The second part of the name is a bit trickier, but it might be related to the Cumbric word “prēs,” which you see in other place names south of the River Forth. Some even think Dumfries could be the mysterious “Penprys” mentioned in old Welsh stories! 📜
- There’s also an older idea that it meant “the Friars’ Hill,” suggesting a religious house was built near what’s now Friars’ Vennel. But experts reckon a Celtic origin makes more sense.
- Finally, a less likely theory links it to Anglo-Saxon settlers and could mean “fortress of the Frisians.” But as someone wrote way back in 1915, there’s no real evidence of Frisians settling here. 🤔
A Wee Bit of History 🕰️
Dumfries has been around for yonks! While we don’t have an exact date for when it started, some believe it was a significant place way back when the Romans were knocking about in northern Britain. The local tribe, the Selgovae, might have even built some defences here. It’s quite likely that a castle of some sort was the heart of the town.
For centuries, the Romans thought this area was pretty important, and you can still find bits and bobs they left behind – coins, weapons, and old roads! After the Romans left in the late 4th century, the area saw visits from Picts, Anglo-Saxons, Scots, and Vikings.
Medieval Times 🏰
Fast forward to 1069, and there was a meeting near Dumfries between Malcolm Canmore (a Scottish king) and William the Conqueror (from England) about who should be the English king. The place they met, Abernithi, might have been an old name for a port at the mouth of the Nith – possibly Dumfries itself!
Around 1160, Lincluden Abbey was built just a mile or so upstream from Dumfries. It’s now within the town’s boundaries. In 1186, King William the Lion made Dumfries a royal burgh, which was a big deal! It meant the town grew quickly as a market and a port. ⚓
King Alexander III popped by in 1264 to plan an attack on the Isle of Man. For the next 22 years, Dumfries thrived until Alexander’s death. A royal castle was built in the 13th century (where Castledykes Park is now). William Wallace, the famous Scottish hero, even chased some English soldiers through the Nith Valley and they were defeated near Dumfries. 💪
In 1300, King Edward I of England stayed in Dumfries for a bit before attacking Caerlaverock Castle. Later, he even held court in Dumfries and agreed to a truce.
But things got really dramatic in 1306! Robert the Bruce, before he became King of Scots, had a bit of a disagreement with his rival, John Comyn, in Greyfriars Kirk (church). Let’s just say it ended badly for Comyn. 😬 Bruce’s mate, Roger de Kirkpatrick, made absolutely sure Comyn was finished off with the famous words, “I mak siccar” (“I make sure”). This event was a major turning point for Bruce and the fight for Scottish independence! He was crowned king just a few weeks later and eventually led Scotland to victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. 🏴
Poor Sir Christopher Seton, Bruce’s brother-in-law, was captured and executed in Dumfries in the same year for being involved in Comyn’s death.
In 1659, ten women were accused of witchcraft in Dumfries and sadly were found guilty and burned at the stake. 😔
The 18th Century 🕰️
The Midsteeple, right in the middle of the High Street, was finished in 1707 and is still a landmark today! 랜드마크 Opposite it used to be the County Hotel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie himself had his headquarters for three days in 1745. They even had a room there called “Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Room” with Royal Stewart tartan carpets! You can still see some of the original panelling and paintings in the Waterstones bookshop that’s there now. He asked the town for money and shoes for his army, but left in a hurry when he heard the Duke of Cumberland was coming. 🏃
Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, moved to Dumfriesshire in 1788 and then to Dumfries in 1791. He lived there until he died in 1796. You can see a statue of him at Greyfriars Church, and he’s even on the Bank of Scotland £5 note! 💰
Also in the 18th century, William Symington, an inventor, did a trial on Dalswinton Loch near Dumfries in 1788 and proved that a steam engine could power a boat! 🚢
20th Century and Beyond 🚀
During World War II, RAF Dumfries was built, and it played an important role in training and maintenance. Interestingly, a German plane even crashed near the airfield in 1943, and the pilot was buried in Dumfries with full military honours. Also, a large part of the Norwegian armed forces who were in exile in Britain during the war were based in Dumfries! 🇳🇴
Dumfries has even had a couple of Boxing Day earthquakes – one in 1979 and another in 2006! Thankfully, they weren’t too serious. 🌍
Who Lives Here? 🧑🤝🧑
In 2022, the population of Dumfries was around 33,470 people.
When it comes to religion, the 2022 Scottish census showed that about 57% of folks in Dumfries said they had no religion, which is a bit higher than the national average. Around 35% identified as Christian (mostly Church of Scotland and Catholic), and about 2% followed other religions. Around 5% didn’t answer the question.
Dumfries has some beautiful old churches. St Michael’s Church, built in the 1700s, has connections to Robert Burns – he was first buried there. Greyfriars Church and St Mary’s Church are also striking buildings with interesting histories. St Andrew’s Church is the Roman Catholic pro-cathedral for the area. Back in the 1800s, there were even more places of worship, including Episcopal, Free Church, and other chapels! ⛪
Learning and Growing 📚
Dumfries has plenty of primary schools and four main secondary schools: Dumfries Academy, Maxwelltown High School, St Joseph’s College, and Dumfries High School. Dumfries Academy used to be a grammar school. There were plans for a big “super school” a while back, but they decided to renovate the existing schools instead. 🏫
In 1999, Scotland’s first multi-institutional university campus opened in Dumfries at the Crichton estate. It’s home to the University of the West of Scotland, Dumfries & Galloway College, and the University of Glasgow. They offer all sorts of courses, from teaching to business to tourism! There was even a campaign to keep the University of Glasgow part open, which thankfully worked! 🎉
Looking After Your Health ❤️🩹
Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is the main hospital for the region, and it even has a maternity unit. Midpark Hospital provides mental health and addiction services and is near the old Crichton Royal Hospital, which has its own interesting history in mental healthcare. 🏥
Where Exactly Is It? 🗺️
Dumfries sits in the Southern Uplands of Scotland, and the River Nith flows right through it, splitting it into east and west. When the tide goes out in the Solway Firth, the River Nith gets a fair bit longer! There are several bridges across the river in town. Sometimes, when it’s really wet, the river can flood the streets, especially in an area called the Whitesands. 🌊
Dumfries has lots of different neighbourhoods, like Summerhill, Troqueer, Georgetown, and Maxwelltown (which used to be its own wee town!). The main hubs are Queensberry Square and the High Street, where you’ll find lots of shops, businesses, and events. These areas even won some awards for how bonnie they looked back in the 90s! 🌸
What’s the Weather Like? ☀️🌧️
Like the rest of the UK, Dumfries has a maritime climate, meaning cool summers and mild winters. It doesn’t usually get too snowy because it’s in a sheltered spot. Interestingly, Dumfries once held the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Scotland (back in 1908!), but that’s been beaten since. Even though it’s quite far south in Scotland, the sea around it keeps the summers cooler and the winters milder.
How Is It Run? 🏛️
Dumfries has been a Royal Burgh since 1186, and they were always very proud of that! They even have a tradition called “Riding the Marches” to celebrate and check the town’s boundaries. Being a Royal Burgh meant the town could pretty much run its own affairs for centuries. Dumfries was also the administrative centre for Dumfriesshire.
Over the years, the way the local council has been organised has changed. In 1929, Maxwelltown joined Dumfries. Then, in 1975, there was a big shake-up across Scotland, and Dumfries became part of the Nithsdale district within the Dumfries and Galloway region. Since 1996, it’s been governed by the Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Even though things have changed, the folks in Dumfries, the Doonhamers, are still really proud of their town and its unique identity. You can really see this during the Guid Nychburris Festival and the Riding of the Marches every June! 🎉
Who Represents You? 🗣️
Dumfries is in the Dumfries and Galloway council area, and the council’s main offices are right in town. For the UK Parliament, Dumfries is split into two constituencies, represented by John Cooper and David Mundell. For the Scottish Parliament, it’s part of the South Scotland region and is covered by two constituencies, with MSPs Finlay Carson and Oliver Mundell. All of these representatives are from the Scottish Conservative Party.
When Scotland had a vote on independence in 2014, Dumfries and Galloway voted quite strongly to stay in the UK, with over 65% voting ‘No’. 👍
What’s the Economy Like? 💰
Dumfries has been an important market town for the surrounding countryside for a long time. Back in 1946, a big rubber company called the North British Rubber Company (later Uniroyal and then Gates) set up shop in Heathhall, making things like Hunter Boots and timing belts. It closed down in 2013.
Like many town centres, Dumfries has seen some changes with more businesses and shops moving to the outskirts. The Dumfries bypass, built in the 1980s, helped traffic flow but also led to more development outside the centre.
Now, there are plans to try and boost the town centre again, both for businesses and for people living there. Dumfries is also a popular base for people visiting the surrounding area, with lots of interesting places nearby like Ae village and forest, and Caerlaverock Castle. 🏰🌳
So there you have it – a wee tour of Dumfries! It’s a town with a rich history, a strong community spirit, and plenty to see and do. If you’re ever in Dumfries & Galloway, make sure you pop by and experience the Queen of the South for yourself! You’ll be made very welcome. 😊
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