Visit Dumfries, Visit Scotland

January 1, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Town Centre, Dumfries, Scotland

This evening, I am focusing on Dumfries, the largest town in South-West Scotland which has a long history. The name may derive from a combination of Dun (fort) and praes (thicket) which could indicate settlement dating back to the Iron-Age (about 2000 years ago). A summary of the last 1000 years is provided below.

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, an act which facilitated 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
In the 18th century (Dec 1745) the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupied Dumfries and demanded a fine of two thousand pounds.
Dumfries prospered on the back of a diversity of trades and industries including tanning, leatherworking, shoe-making, clog making, saddlery, brewing, distilling and milling. Hatmaking 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. The poet 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.