Dumfries (local area)

Dumfries is a historic country town in the far southern reaches of Scotland, most famed for its connection with Scotland's favourite bard, Rabbie Burns.

The charming old country town of Dumfries is situated on the banks of the River Nith, near the border with England. It has a long history going back to its inception as a royal burgh in the 12th century. The town's most prominent landmark is the Midsteeple in the high street that was built in 1707 as a jail. There is a statue in tribute to Scotland's national poet - the one and only Rabbie Burns, who lived in Dumfries in his later years - at the top of the town opposite Greyfriars Church. Burns. The current Greyfriars building replaced the original where Robert the Bruce killed the Red Comyn in 1306.

Lady Devorgilla was a great benefactress to the town. She paid for the building of the first bridge over the River Nith as well as the famous Sweetheart Abbey, five miles south of Dumfries, which was founded in 1273. Over the centuries, Dumfries was visited by the Covenanters, witch hunt trials and the Jacobite army. It became a prosperous market town and has been the home of several famous people, including J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan.