Dumfries

Scotland > South of Scotland > Dumfriesshire > Dumfries

Old red sandstone buildings, spacious parks and the broad sweep of the River Nith have earned the town the nickname of "Queen of the South".

The town was created a royal burgh in1186 by William the Lion and its first known charter by Robert the third in1393. It was here that the first blow in wars of independence was struck by Robert the Bruce in 1306.

Bruce slew the kings man, Sir John Comyn on the alter of Greyfriars Monestry and later declared himself the king of Scots.

The most prominent building in the town is the Midsteeple, built in 1707. It is where the funeral of Robert Burns, Scotland's national bard, started from. Burns lived and worked in the town for a short time until his death in 1796.

Since then the town has been a prosperous market centre and manufacturing centre for traditional high quality hosery and knitwear. Every year in June the town celebrates the granting of its royal charter with the "Guid Neebors Festival"