Three Charming Places Not To Be Missed In Dumfries, Scotland
Dumfries, situated, not too far from the Solway Firth, on the banks of the River Nith is, by a great number, the most populated town in the southwest part of Scotland (the population is far more than thirty thousand people). Dumfries, in similarity with Ayr, has a great many associations with the life and times of Robert Burns.
For folk wishing to take a vacation in Dumfries we have listed below details of three popular local attractions; Lochmaben Castle, Dundrennan Abbey and Robert Burns House:
Dundrennan Abbey
King David I founded Dundrennan Abbey in 1142. During this time, Scottish abbeys were usually built of a reddish sandstone, but Dundrennan Abbey was constructed of very hard-wearing, local grey sandstone. This is probably the reason why many of the unique architecural mouldings and forms have survived. The first monks to live in the Abbey, originally come from Rievaulx, Yorkshire. Mary Queen of Scots spent her last night on Scottish soil at Dundrennan Abbey in 1568. She then found her way across the Solway Firth to Workington, and was eventually imprisoned and captured by the English. In 1587, following the Scottish Reformation, the land was passed into the hands of the crown.
Lochmaben Castle
The Lochmaben Castle, that is left today, was not the first Lochmaben Castle. The first was erected by the Bruce family, Lords of Annandale, in the beginning of the twelfth century. In 1298, King Edward I of England seized the castle, and then commissioned another Lochmaben Castle in a much stronger defensive situation. This second castle was completed in the start of the 14th century, leaving the old castle derelict. From 1306 to 1588, the castle was either in the hands of the Scots or the hands of the English. It was in 1588 that James VI attacked and seized the castle from the Maxwell family. The castle was eventually abandoned after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Robert Burns House
One of Scotland’s most famous men, Robert Burns, lived in Dumfries during the latter years of his life. The home that he and his family once occupied, has now become a place of pilgramge for his fans from across the globe. He died prematurely at the age of 37 years in 1796, at home. Today, one can catch a glimpse of how he and his family lived, back in the late 1700’s. The desk and chair where he sat and composed are exhibited, as are many of his orginal manuscripts. On display there are personal items as well, that once belonged to his family.
If you are in the process of considering a Scottish vacation and you wish to stay in Dumfries you might want to book your accommodation online and you will find listings of hotels and accommodation in Dumfries at http://dumfries.hotelreservationhelper.com.
Posted on: Monday, November 3, 2008 at 9:41 am 
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