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.