The former
capital of the old county of Dumfriesshire and a royal burgh, Dumfries is
situated on the River Nith 35 miles (56 km) north-west of Carlisle and 90
(144.8 km) miles south-west of Edinburgh. Dumfries probably began as a
Roman-era settlement but is first mentioned in the 12th century when it also
became a royal burgh. Its castle, since gone, was located at Castledykes Park
while in 1265 the Convent of Greyfriars was established by Devorgilla, Lady of
Galloway. In 1306 John Comyn of Dalswinton (the 'Red Comyn') was murdered at
the Church of the Greyfriars by Robert the Bruce. The town is strongly
associated with the poet Robert Burns who lived here from 1791 until his death
in 1796, writing over 100 poems and working for the Excise Office during this
period.
Dumfries grew in the 18th century through its role as a port
for the tobacco trade and later as a livestock market, using its wealth to
create stunning red sandstone buildings. Its recent industries have included
woollens, cars and rubber goods, while today tourism and retail shopping are
vital to its economy. In 1928 it incorporated the burgh of Maxwelltown on the
west side of the River Nith.
Notable attractions include the Dumfries Museum and Camera
Obscura, the Old Bridge House Museum, the Robert Burns Centre, the Old Town
Mill and Burns' House. Among the many places associated with Burns are several
pubs, including The King's Arms and the Globe Inn.
Dumfries and Galloway College of Technology is located at
Heathhall to the north, and to the south is the Crichton campus of the
University of Glasgow.
Nearby are two attractive gardens, the Charter House
Nurseries (at Newbridge, south of Dumfries), and The Crichton (1 mile / 1.5 km
south); also nearby is the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum and the
Gracefield Arts Centre.
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