Dumfries
Dumfries [ dʌm'fɹi ː s] (Gaelic Dùn Phris ) is the largest city and administrative center of the village in the south of Scotland Unitary Authority of Dumfries and Galloway. Until 1889, it was the administrative seat of the traditional county of Dumfriesshire. The city had 2001 37.846 inhabitants.
Location and cityscape
Dumfries is located on the Nith River and near its confluence with the Solway Firth. The Galloway Forest Park begins about 30 kilometers west of the city. Nearby attractions such as the Sweetheart Abbey attract tourists.
The main streets near the highway A75 and the M74 motorway. With the Dumfries railway station, the city has a railway station. It is operated by the railway company First ScotRail.
Attractions
Dumfries has an historic town center. The oldest building in the city is the Old Bridge House from the mid-17th century. In addition, there are several museums, such as about Robert Burns or the camera obscura ( pinhole cameras ). The latter and a museum of the city are housed in an old windmill. The Nith River, which crosses the city, is spanned by the Devorguilla 's Bridge.
History
In 1186 Dumfries received the rights of a Royal Burgh. In the area of today's Castledykes Park, a royal castle was built in the 13th century, which no longer exists. Robert Bruce, later King of Scotland, met on February 10, 1306 in Dumfries and has learned that John Comyn was staying there as well. In the local Franciscan church, the two met for a private talk. Bruce accused Comyn, to have betrayed him, however, what this said no. Enraged, Bruce moved his dagger and seriously injured his adversary. When Bruce fled in fear from the church, entered his companion Sir Roger de Kirkpatrick, the building, found the surviving Comyn and killed him. He said, " I mak Siccar " (in Scots, this means approximately " I go on the safe side "). To date, this is the motto of the Kirkpatrick family. In 1633 King Charles I created the title of Earl of Dumfries and gave it to a member of the Crichton family. Over several marriages that came to the family Crichton - Stuart, who wears it today. Among his total of 15 noble titles, the current owner, Sir John Colum Crichton - Stuart, a former racing driver leads, including those of the 12th Earl of Dumfries.
The Scottish writer and poet Robert Burns lived much of his life until his death in the city.
Sports
Queen of the South representing Dumfries in the Scottish Football League First Division, home games will be played in Palmerston Park Stadium. The Dumfries Rugby Club plays in the Scottish Rugby Union.
Personalities
The following personalities were born in Dumfries:
- John Richardson (1787-1865), naturalist
- Thomas Mitchell (1843-1921), football coach
- John Law Hume (1890-1912), musicians on the Titanic
- Ian Carr (1931-2009), jazz musician
- Dougal Dixon ( born 1947 ), paleontologist and evolutionist
- Ray Wilson ( born 1968 ), rock musician
- Allan McNish (born 1969 ), race car driver
- Dominic Matteo ( born 1974 ), football player
- Raphael Ravenscroft ( * 19 **), Saxophone Players
- Calvin Harris ( born 1984 ), singer and CD producer
- Grant Hanley (* 1991), football player
The following have died in the city:
- John III. Comyn, Lord of Badenoch († 1306), Scottish nobleman
- Robert Burns (1759-1796), writer and poet
- Charles Altamont Doyle (1832-1893), painter
- Hector Monro (1922-2006), politician
The Dumfries Academy visited, among other figures such as the writer and playwright JM Barrie, the missionary Jane Haining and the actor John Laurie.
Twin Cities
Dumfries maintains partnerships with the following cities:
- United States Annapolis, Maryland, USA
- Italy Cantù, Lombardia, Italy
- Germany Gifhorn, Lower Saxony
- Germany Passau, Bavaria (until 1979, ended because of incorporation )