Robert Burns statue, Dumfries

Robert Burns Statue, Dumfries

The Robert Burns statue is a focal point in Dumfries. Located in Castle street, in front of Greyfriars church, the Burns statue was unveiled in 1882. It was designed by a sculptress called Amelia Hill and was produced from her model, by Italian craftsmen in their local carrara marble. The statue portrays Robert Burns in a seated position with a dog at his feet.



Close up - Robert Burns

Robert Burns was Scotland's national poet (1759 - 1796). Burns is famous for producing poems that are thought provoking, witty, humorous and romantic. Many of his poems also reflected the keen sense of anger he had at the injustices of his time. Burns' work is still popular today and Burns night is celebrated every year on his birthday (the 25th of January)  in Scotland and around the world with Burns supper.

In the final years of his life, Burns spent his time in a small sandstone house in Burns Street, Dumfries that is currently open as a museum. The house offers a picture of how Burns lived and is a place of visit for people from around the world.




Burns House, Dumfries

A close up shot of the plaques on the front of the house

Up the road form Robert Burns' house, opposite St. Michael's church, is found a statue of the poet's wife, Jean Armour.

Jean Armour Statue

Burns now lies with his wife and five of his nine children in a mausoleum at St. Michael Church's graveyard. Many blue plaques in the graveyard mark the graves of Burns' friends and acquaintances.



Burns' Mausoleum

Note - There is a Robert Burns Centre situated in Dumfries' 18th century watermill on the banks of the River Nith. The centre tells the story of Robert Burns' final years spent in the bustling streets and lively atmosphere of Dumfries in the late 18th century. There, you can find pieces about Burns' life and works, and information that helps in exploring the region's Burns connections.



Robert Burns centre, Dumfries

Sources;

Dumfries Time Traveller: Follow in the footsteps of Burns, Bruce and Barrie through eight centuries of Dumfries history.

J.A. Mackay (1990) - Pictoral History of Dumfries

Fortune P., McMillan H. - Dumfries : A history and celebration

Midsteeple, Dumfries

 

A view of the Midsteeple from Dumfries High Street

The Midsteeple is an iconic and prominent building located in the middle of Dumfries's High Street. It was built in 1705 – 07 and is Grade A listed for its historical and architectural importance. Midsteeple is one of the town’s oldest buildings. It was built as an administrative centre for the town and overtime has been used as a court-house, housing council meetings, prison, armoury and guard house, and a Registry for births, deaths and marriages.

The majority part of 'Guid Nychburris' Dumfries' annual pageant in June, takes place around the Midsteeple

It is also recorded in history books that the body of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns was laid out in there after his death to allow local people to pay their last respects.

A plaque recording when Midsteeple was errected and those
who have paid for the restoration over the years.

The Midsteeple is an important landmark for Dumfries and is named as one of the key regeneration opportunity zones for Dumfries.

When you are visiting Dumfries be sure to visit and check out the fine carved stone plaques on the front of Midsteeple.

The detailing on the lion is fantastic!

 

 

  

...and have you ever seen such whiskers on a unicorn before 😊? 

Other carvings can also be spotted on Midsteeple like that of St. Michael below.



St. Michael, the patron saint of Dumfries, Standing on a dead dragon.

The distances to important towns and cities can be found on a plaque cast by J. Affleck in 1827. If you walk down to Dock Park you might spot a bench also cast by J. Affleck.

List of distances from Dumfries to some Scottish towns, London and Huntingdon.
 (Huntingdon because of the importance of the wool trade with that town)

Some sources you can find more information on the history of the Midsteeple include;

Dumfries Time Traveller, Dumfries and Galloway Council
Dumfries - a hstory and celebration of the town (2005) by The Francis Frith Collection

Dumfries Time Traveller: Follow in the footsteps of Burns, Bruce and Barrie through eight centuries of Dumfries history.

J.A. Mackay (1990) - Pictoral History of Dumfries

Fortune P., McMillan H. - Dumfries : A history and celebration

 


Next week I'll be posting about Robert Burns. I'll include some great close up shots of statues of the poet and his family.