A-Z of Dumfries

The town of Dumfries, in the south-west of Scotland and known as 'the Queen of the South', became a royal burgh in 1186 and grew into an important market town and port in the medieval period. During its often turbulent past, Dumfries played an important role in the Wars of Independence as the starting point of Robert the Bruce's campaign for the Scottish throne, and later hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army. The poet Robert Burns spent his last years in Dumfries and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the port of Dumfries benefited from trade with the Americas, as well as being a major exporter of tweed. During the Second World War Dumfries was home to the Norwegian army in exile, and although the port has closed today, it is the administrative centre for the Dumfries and Galloway region. A Z of Dumfries delves into the history of the town, revealing interesting and significant moments in its story. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Dumfries and its hidden gems. This fascinating A Z tour of Dumfries history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this popular town in south-west Scotland.