Dumfries facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dumfries Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phris Scots: Dumfries
Town and administrative centre
Skyline of Dumfries Town Centre, with the River Nith in the foreground
Dumfries
Population	33,470 (2020)
Demonym	Doonhamer
OS grid reference	NX976762
• Edinburgh	63 mi (101 km)
• London	285 mi (459 km)
Council area	Dumfries and Galloway
Lieutenancy area	Dumfries
Country	Scotland
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	DUMFRIES
Postcode district	DG1, DG2
Dialling code	01387
Police	Dumfries and Galloway
Fire	Dumfries and Galloway
Ambulance	Scottish
EU Parliament	Scotland
UK Parliament	• Dumfries and Galloway (Con – John Cooper) • Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweedale (Con – David Mundell)
Scottish Parliament	• Dumfriesshire (Con – Oliver Mundell) • Galloway and West Dumfries (Con – Finlay Carson)
List of places UK Scotland 55°04′12″N 3°36′11″W / 55.070°N 3.603°W / 55.070; -3.603

Dumfries is a lively town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It sits near where the River Nith meets the Solway Firth, about 25 miles (40 km) from the border with England. Dumfries is the main town of the historic area called Dumfriesshire.

A long time ago, in 1306, Robert the Bruce (who later became King of Scots) had a famous argument in a church here. During World War II, the Norwegian Army that was fighting from Britain had its main base in Dumfries.

Dumfries is often called Queen of the South. This is also the name of the town's football team. People who come from Dumfries are known as Doonhamers.

What's in a Name?

The name Dumfries might come from a few different places!

• One idea is that it comes from the Scottish Gaelic words Dún Phris, which means "Fort of the Thicket" (a fort in a bushy area).
• Another idea is that it comes from an old British language, similar to Welsh, meaning "Fort of the Thicket."
• A third idea suggests the name comes from old English or Norse words meaning "Friars’ Hill." This is because a religious house might have been built near a place now called Friars’ Vennel.

Dumfries Through Time

Early Days

We don't know exactly when Dumfries started, but it has a very old history!

• Some people think Dumfries was important when the Romans were in Britain. The local tribes, called the Selgovae, might have built forts here.
• The name "Dumfries" itself suggests there was a castle or fort in a wooded area very early on.
• Many Roman coins, weapons, and roads have been found in the area, showing they were here for a long time.

Medieval Times

• Around 1160, Lincluden Abbey was built near Dumfries. Its ruins are still there today and are now part of the town.
• In 1186, William the Lion made Dumfries a royal burgh. This meant it was an important town with special rights, and it grew quickly as a market and port.
• A royal castle was built in the 13th century where Castledykes Park is now.
• The famous Scottish hero, William Wallace, chased English forces through Dumfries. The townspeople even joined him!
• In 1300, Edward I of England (also known as Longshanks) stayed in Dumfries before attacking Caerlaverock Castle. He later signed a peace agreement here.
• A very important event happened in Dumfries in 1306. Robert the Bruce had a fight with his rival, the Red Comyn, in Greyfriars Kirk (a church). Bruce killed Comyn, which started his fight for Scotland's independence. He was crowned King of Scots just seven weeks later!
• Sadly, in 1659, ten women were accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake in Dumfries.

18th Century Happenings

• In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie (the Young Pretender) stayed in Dumfries for three days with his Jacobite army. He asked for money and shoes for his soldiers.
• The famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, moved to Dumfries in 1791 and lived there until he died in 1796. You can see a statue of him in the town, and he's even on some Scottish £5 notes!
• In 1788, inventor William Symington showed that a steam engine could work on a boat on Dalswinton Loch near Dumfries. This was a big step towards building the first practical steamboat.

20th Century and Beyond

• During World War II, RAF Dumfries was built as an important air base for training and maintenance. The Norwegian Army also had its main base here while in exile.
• Dumfries has had a few small earthquakes, but thankfully, none have caused serious damage.

People and Places

Population and Beliefs

• In 2012, Dumfries had about 33,280 people living there.
• The 2022 census showed that many people in Dumfries don't identify with a religion (57%). About 35% are Christian.
• There are many beautiful and historic churches in Dumfries. St Michael's Church is where Robert Burns was first buried. Greyfriars Church is on the site of an old monastery and castle. St Mary's Church was built where a chapel honoured Christopher Seton, who was executed there. St Andrew's Church is a Roman Catholic church.

Learning in Dumfries

The Minerva Building of Dumfries Academy

• Dumfries has several primary schools and four main secondary schools: Dumfries Academy, Maxwelltown High School, St Joseph's College, and Dumfries High School.
• Since 1999, Dumfries has had a special university campus called the Crichton estate. Here, students can study different subjects from the University of the West of Scotland and the University of Glasgow.

Staying Healthy

• Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary is the main hospital for the area.
• Midpark Hospital provides mental health and addiction services.

Dumfries' Landscape and Weather

Where is Dumfries?

River Nith

• Dumfries is in the Southern Uplands of Scotland. The River Nith flows right through the town, splitting it into East and West.
• When the tide is low, the River Nith becomes very long, making it Scotland's seventh longest river!
• There are several bridges over the river. Sometimes, the Nith can flood the streets, especially the Whitesands area.
• Dumfries has many different neighbourhoods, like Summerhill, Troqueer, and Georgetown.
• Maxwelltown, which is on the west side of the river, used to be a separate town but became part of Dumfries in 1929.
• Palmerston Park, where the local football team Queen of the South plays, is on the Maxwelltown side.
• The town centre, with Queensberry Square and High Street, is the heart of Dumfries, full of shops and historic buildings.

Weather in Dumfries

• Dumfries has a mild climate, with cool summers and mild winters, like the rest of Britain. It doesn't get as much snow as other parts of Scotland because it's in a sheltered, low area.
• On July 2, 1908, Dumfries held the record for Scotland's highest temperature: 32.8°C (91°F)!

Dumfries' Economy and Surroundings

• Dumfries has always been an important market town for the surrounding countryside.
• A factory that made things like Hunter Boots and engine belts used to be in Heathhall. It closed in 2013.
• The town centre has faced challenges as new shops and businesses have moved to the edges of town, especially after the Dumfries bypass was built.
• Dumfries is a great base for exploring the area! You can visit:
  • Caerlaverock Castle
  • Criffel – a hill with amazing views.
  • Drumlanrig Castle
  • Gretna Green – famous for quick marriages.
  • John Paul Jones Cottage Museum – where a famous naval hero was born.
  • Mabie Forest – great for mountain biking and walking.
  • New Abbey Corn Mill Museum and Sweetheart Abbey
  • Threave Castle – a ruined castle on an island.
  • Wanlockhead – Britain's highest village, with a Lead Mining Museum.

Culture and Fun in Dumfries

Nicknames and Local Pride

• Dumfries got its nickname 'Queen of the South' from a local poet named David Dunbar in 1857.
• People from Dumfries are called Doonhamers. This comes from the Scots phrase doon hame, meaning "down home."
• The town's crest has the words "A Lore Burne," which was an old rallying cry meaning "to the muddy stream" (a stream near the town).
• In 2017, Dumfries was named the happiest place in Scotland!

Museums, Parks, and Libraries

Dumfries Museum and camera obscura

• Dumfries Museum is in an old windmill. It shows off local history, from dinosaur footprints to ancient tools. It also has a cool camera obscura on the top floor!
• The Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum is at a former World War II airfield. It has a large collection of aircraft and aviation history.

Entrance to the Ewart Library

• The Ewart Library is a public library that opened in 1904. It was built with money from Andrew Carnegie, a famous businessman who helped build many libraries.

Dumfries has several lovely parks:

• Dock Park – by the River Nith.
• Castledykes Park – on the site of an old castle.
• Mill Green – also by the River Nith.

Entertainment and Media

The Theatre Royal in Dumfries. In the background can be seen the spire of the old St Andrew's Cathedral: the rest of the building burned down in 1961 and was replaced with a new church on the same site.

• The Theatre Royal, Dumfries was built in 1792 and is the oldest working theatre in Scotland! It's run by volunteers.
• The Robert Burns Centre is a cinema that shows art house films.
• Dumfries has local radio stations like Greatest Hits Radio Dumfries & Galloway and Alive 107.3. There's also an online station called Dumfries Community Radio.
• The town has two local newspapers: the Dumfries and Galloway Standard and the Dumfries Courier.

Buildings and Stone

Sandstone buildings in Buccleuch Street (the building with the turrets is Dumfries Sheriff Court)

• Many buildings in Dumfries are made from a beautiful red sandstone from the local Locharbriggs quarry. This stone has been used in famous buildings around the world, like the base of the Statue of Liberty!

Arts and Festivals

• Gracefield Arts Centre has many Scottish paintings and exhibitions by different artists.
• The Guid Nychburris (Good Neighbours) festival is the biggest event of the year. It's a traditional ceremony celebrating community spirit, with horse riding and the crowning of the "Queen of the South."
• The annual Nithraid is a boat race on the River Nith, celebrating the town's connection to the river.
• Dumfries also hosts music festivals like Youthbeatz (a big free youth music festival) and the Big Burns Supper Festival.

Sports in Dumfries

The main stand of Palmerston Park, home ground of Queen of the South F.C.

• Queen of the South is the town's professional football team. They play at Palmerston Park.
• Dumfries Saints Rugby Club is one of Scotland's oldest rugby clubs.
• Dumfries has several golf courses, including The Crichton Golf Club and The Dumfries and County Golf Club.
• The town is home to the Solway Sharks ice hockey team, who play at the Dumfries Ice Bowl. This Ice Bowl is also a centre for ice hockey training in Scotland and hosts synchronised skating and curling teams.
• Dumfries also has outdoor bowls clubs and is a popular place for cycling.

Getting Around

Dumfries railway station

• Dumfries is connected to major roads like the A701, A75, and A76, which link to motorways and other towns.
• Dumfries railway station is on the Glasgow South Western Line. You can catch trains to Glasgow Central and Carlisle from here. The nearest main line station is at Lockerbie.

Famous Faces from Dumfries

Many well-known people have come from Dumfries:

• Robert Burns – the famous Scottish poet.
• J.M. Barrie – the author of Peter Pan.
• Calvin Harris – an international music producer and DJ.
• Ray Wilson – lead singer of the band Stiltskin and later Genesis.
• Allan McNish – a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race.
• David Murdoch – a world champion curler.
• Kirsty Wark and Neil Oliver – well-known BBC broadcasters.
• Dougal Dixon – an author and earth scientist.
• Many professional footballers, including Dave Halliday and Dominic Matteo, have come from Dumfries.
• Brother Walfrid, who founded Celtic F.C., also founded St Joseph's College, Dumfries in Dumfries.

Other Places Named Dumfries

You can find places named Dumfries in other parts of the world too!

Canada

• Dumfries, New Brunswick
• South Dumfries Township, Ontario
• North Dumfries, Ontario

United States

• Dumfries, Virginia
• Dumfries, Minnesota
• Dumfries, Iowa

Other

• Dumfries, Cat Island, Bahamas
• Dumfries, on the Grenadine island of Carriacou, Grenada

Twin Towns

Dumfries is twinned with:

• Annapolis, Maryland, USA
• Gifhorn, Germany
• Cantù, Italy

Images for kids

• 

  Lincluden Collegiate Church, also known as Lincluden Abbey, c.1789

• 

  The killing of John Comyn in the Greyfriars church in Dumfries, as seen by Felix Philippoteaux, a 19th-century illustrator.

• 

  Burns statue and Greyfriars Church currently under development

• 

  International chart-topper Calvin Harris was born and raised in Dumfries

• 

  Robert Burns House in Dumfries

See also

In Spanish: Dumfries para niños