Dumfries

Dumfries is a former royal burgh and town within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. Its name means either fort or ridge of the thicket.

Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. It has a population of 49,883. This makes Dumfries one of the largest non-city areas in Scotland.

Its nickname is Queen of the South, which is also the name of its local football team Queen of the South F.C..

Geography

Dumfries is close to the Solway Firth, near the mouth of the River Nith. The River Nith runs through the centre of the town.

Its suburbs include:

  • Sandside
  • Lochside
  • Lincluden
  • Troqueer
  • Rotchell
  • Marchmount
  • Locharbriggs
  • Heathhall

The eastern side of Dumfries has the DG1 post code, while the western side of the town has the DG2 postcode.

Education

Dumfries has four main high schools, with three being in DG1. There is one primary school per key district. There is one college in the town, while the University of west of Scotland and the open university is on the same campus. Glasgow University also has a campus on the same site.