I chose Scotland for our holiday destination this year with the proviso that we travel via York and visited the Bronte Museum, a placed I have longed to visit ever since I read about the tiny books produced by the Bronte siblings.
On Tuesday morning, after a brief visit to York and the Lake District, we drove to Dumfries in Scotland. Dumfries is a small town situated on the River Nith and is the place where famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns, lived for the last years of his life and died.
I was excited as we were meeting up with fellow blogger and author, Mary Smith, who had kindly offered to show us around her beautiful and historic town. Mary has written two non-fiction books about Dumfries and its history and a third is in the process of being finalised for publication. I bought and read a copy of Secret Dumfries prior to our trip as I always like to read up on the history of places before I visit them.
At 10.30am, after a 2 hour drive, we met Mary at the Dumfries Museum for a quick look around and to see the world’s oldest working Camera Obscura.
Mary Smith and I outside the Dumfries Museum.
The museum was fascinating and I saw a few of the interesting items that Mary describes and provides the history of in her book. These are three of the items that interested me the most:
The first picture is a replica of the skull of Robert the Bruce containing real bone pieces of bone, the punch bowl was bought by Robert Grainger to celebrate the move by the Seven Trades into a new Trades Hall in 1806, the Siller gun was awarded at an annual shooting competition of the freeman of the burgh and was presented to the Seven Trades by James VI of Scotland and I of England, the remains of the ladle was the one used by the town’s executioner to take a ladleful of grain from each sack in the meal market and the pick is a Roman artifact.
The Camera Obscura was an amazing experience. I was astonished at how clearly this device reproduced live scenes from the town on the white viewing table. I can just imagine how bowled over with this devise the Victorian’s would have been, unexposed as they were to other screens such as television and computers.
We saw many other amazing historical sites in the town, including the home of Robert Burns and his grave, but I shall keep those visits for another post. Thank you, Mary, for giving up a day to show us around and give us a private tour with all your interesting insights.
My review of Secret Dumfries by Mary Smith
Secret Dumfries is a non-fiction book depicting the fascinating history of Dumfries, a small town situated on the River Nith in Scotland. Dumfries is also known as the “Queen of the South”, a name bestowed on the town by local poet David Dunbar.
The book is divided into ten chapters each dealing with different aspects of the town, its inhabitants and its history.
Chapter 1: History provides a lot of background to the development and establishment of the town. One particularly interesting historical event was the stabbing of “The Red” Comyn by Robert the Bruce which changed the course of Scottish history.
Chapter 2 deals with Crime and Punishment and one of the titbits of information disclosed in this chapter is that in sixteenth-century Dumfries, anyone caught stealing his neighbour’s peat was branded on the cheek with the towns clock key, heated in a fire made of the stolen peats.
Chapter 3: Health, shares facts and information about the history of disease and illness in the town including outbreaks of the plague, famine and cholera.
Chapter 4 entitled Industrial Dumfries tells the stories about the development of industry in Dumfries. One of the industries discussed is the quarrying for sandstone at Locharbriggs Quarry. This sandstone is a lovely pink to red colour and is clearly detectable as the building material for most of the historical buildings in the town.
Chapter 5 deals with Wartime Dumfries and tells of the backgrounds of famous Doonhammers during times of warfare, including Joseph Brown who fought in the Crimea War and the Indian Mutiny.
Chapter 6: Outdoor Art Gallery describes the lovely outdoor artworks found throughout the town including a collection of unusual finials on the railings along the Whitesands beside the Nith. There are thirty-eight of these finials which were created by Natalie Vardey and designed to link to past and present trades in Dumfries.
Chapter 7: Remarable Doonhammers includes details on a number of interesting residents of the town, the most renown being Robert Burns and his wife, Jean Armour. Interestingly enough, the book discloses that Robert Burns body was dug up twice before it was finally laid to rest in its current mausoleum.
Chapter 8 advises visitors to remember to look up and provides information on all the artworks and historical artifacts above eye level including some facts about the fire marks on selected buildings.
Chapter 9: Recreation provides the history of, inter alia, the Dumfries football team, the name of which is Queen of the South. It also tells of the history of the Dumfries cinemas and even the circus.
Chapter 10: Curiosities, Mysteries and a Sad Story ends with a poignant tale about Tinker, or Derek Styles, a promising young man who was psychologically ruined by the horrors he witnessed during the battle for Goose green in May 1982.
Secret Dumfries is a well written and interesting non-fiction book and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Scottish history.
Purchase Secret Dumfries
You did better than us… I tried so hard to meet up with Mary again, but didn’t quite manage it on this trip.
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Yes, Mary said she was at the bloggers bash while you were in Scotland. Next time I come, we should try to plan a get together. Timing of bash is no good for me as it isn’t in the school holidays.
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The Bash usually clashes with one of our workshops since they changed the date, so I haven’t been for a while. But yes, it would be lovely to meet up next time you are here 🙂
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What a great way to meet up.
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It was, thanks Rosie.
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It was, thank you, Rosie.
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Great review and sounds like a great trip. And of course a meet-up with Mary is always a huge treat!
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It was really great to meet up with Mary, Barb. It is lovely that our blogging friendships can convert so easily into physical friendships.
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Aw so wonderful that you could meet Mary and visit the museum!
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It was a lovely day, Ritu. I really enjoyed Dumfries, very historic.
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🙂
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Wonderful thoughts and review, Robbie and your trip must have been an awesome one. Saw all your amazing pictures on Facebook and I loved Scotland and it’s brilliant historical places.
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Thank you, Kamal. Scotland is a lovely place to visit. We are going to Edinburgh tomorrow.
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Wow Robbie enjoy and have a great time. Welcome 😊😊😊😊😊😊
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A lovely blog, excellent review and how great that you met Mary!
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Thank you, Lizanne. It was lovely to meet Mary and hear all about Dumfries from her.
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What fun to meet up with Mary and learn first hand from a local historian, Robbie. I sure you had many blogging tales to share as well.
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Hi Norah, we did chat a bit about blogging and our mutual friends and also a bit about our books and writing. A great day.
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I’m pleased you enjoyed it, Robbie.
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I am so pleased to hear that you met up with Mary. That´s something I want to do as well. I have enjoyed following your holiday. Looks like everyone is having a good time. xo
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We are having a great time, Darlene. We leave for Edinburgh tomorrow and then one day in Nottingham and then home. I do love the UK.
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The museum sounds fascinating!
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It was a lovely museum and the Camera Obscura was an amazing experience, Stevie. Great to meet Mary too.
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I loved the recap of your favorite things in the museum, Robbie. It was super you could meet Mary there.
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It was a fabulous day, John, and super to meet Mary. She certainly showed us around. Did you visit Dumfries when you came to Scotland?
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No we did not. We were on a visit the family tour so we kept to those cities.
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What a fun time, Robbie. I have met very few bloggers in real life. Those that I have, they are always exactly as I imagined. Book sounds great, too.
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It is amazing how much you get to know about a person from their blog, Jacqui. Mary in person is not unlike how she projects on her blog and in her books. So nice.
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What a great way to meet up. Glad you enjoyed.
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Thanks Tori, a great day and a lovely holiday to date.
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Love that you got to meet up – terrific story Robbie and bravo Mary!
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Thank you, John. So great to have read the book beforehand. I could remember a lot of information and then see it converted to the physical object and hear about it again.
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Wow! That’s interesting Robbie and you two are looking awesome! Thanks for sharing this story, you seem to be having a wonderful trip.
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I am, thank you, Balroop. It was lovely to meet my first blogger in person.
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I’m so envious of your wonderful trip, all the way from the Bronte Museum (would LOVE that, too) to Scotland, a country I’ve been longing to visit for a very long time. And to add the icing to the cake, meeting up with Mary, and having her show you around! Wow. Just lovely! I’ve seen some of your photos scroll by on my FB feed and it just looks like a marvelous trip, all the way around.
Great review of Secret Dumfries, too. Last week, I ordered both of Mary’s Dumfries books and pre-ordered the 3rd. Amazon says Secret Dumfrieds is on the way. Can’t wait to read it.
Great post, Robbie! 🙂 Thanks for sharing with us. ❤
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Wonderful, Marcia. Even if you read it just for its historical and entertainment factor, it is a great book. I have another book of Mary’s about Dumfries that she gifted to me. I didn’t actually know about that one. I am looking forward to reading it. I am really enjoying Scotland too.
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That’s wonderful you got to meet up and get a tour! Her book sounds fascinating about Scottish history in that area. Great review, Robbie and I’ve been enjoying your pictures on Instagram:)
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I am glad you like my photographs, Denise. We are having a super time and meeting with Mary and the tour of Dumfries was definitely a highlight.
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Just fabulous to know your are in the UK Robbie, enjoying your touring and meeting blogging friends.. York a memorable place as is the Lake District..
Lovely pictures, and hope you are enjoying our second heat wave this Bank Holiday weekend ❤
Much love your way Robbie.. Enjoy the rest of your holiday ❤
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Hi Sue, lovely to hear from you. It is not that hot in Scotland, I am wearing a long sleeved T-Shirt and jeans. It is warmer in England I think. It is nice that it isn’t raining. It makes touring easier. I hope you are enjoying the last few days of summer.
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Glad you are enjoying Scotland Robbie and yes its cooler the more North you go.. Here in the Midlands its been HOT.. And again today.. Not complaining though, it was unexpected, especially on a Holiday Weekend, as it has the tendency to rain .. ENJOY yourselves ❤
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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Thanks for sharing, Sue 🤗
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My pleasure, Robbie.
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Thank you for this great insight into a wonderful museum, and a wonderful book. Beside all the wonders of alcohol Scotland provides, Lol its worth a visit. Michael
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Hi Michael We visited a distillery near Inverness yesterday. It was so interesting to learn how Scotch whiskey is made. Terence bought a bottle to take home 🤗
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Hey great! Sorry for the insta delay, but they dont let me post anything, since some days. Mary is so kind too. She offered my to be my tour guide, when i will visit Scotland. Scotch seems to be the best. 🙂 Michael
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What a lovely trip and deserved break from your demanding work.
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Thank you, Elizabeth. It has been great so far. We are now in Edinburgh for two full days and then to Nottingham and then home.
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I loved Edinburgh years ago.
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Thanks for this wonderful mini tour, and how exciting you got to meet up with Mary! 🙂
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My pleasure, Debby, a great trip to date. Mary is lovely and I home to meet her again in the future.
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Wonderful!!!! 🙂
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It adds a lot to have historical background for places you visit. Dumfries seems rich with it. (K)
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Oh it is, Kerfe. A fabulous historical town to visit.
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Your visit here has made me want to add it to our list of places to visit. However that’s not likely given we will probably only visit Scotland once more.
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Dumfries is worth visiting, especially if you enjoy the history. I am really glad we visited.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord Blog Magazine and commented:
Robbie Cheadle is on a tour of the UK and Scotland and met up with Mary Smith author of both fiction and non-fiction books. In particular about Scotland. Robbie read Secret Dumfries in preparation for her trip and also reviews the book here.
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Thank you for sharing. So nice to meet Mary and visit Dumfries, a real treat.
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Pleasure Robbie..hugs
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Hi Robbie, I was born in the UK and never made it to Scotland! How remiss was that…Delighted you made it and met up with Mary. I have been dogging your footsteps…At least I made the Brontes’ home. Sounds like you have lots…to write about. Happy travelling and landing. Hugs xx
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Thank you, Joy. Scotland is a great place to visit. Beautiful and historic. The visit to the Bronte Museum and our trip to Dumfries are highlights for me.
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I enjoyed learning more about Scotland through the description of your trip highlights and your review of Mary’s book.
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Thank you, Liz. This has been a lovely holiday and meeting Mary and touring Dumfries was a highlight.
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I’m trying again to see if any comment will be accepted from me. Don’t know what I’ve done to upset WordPress! Thanks so much for the review of Secret Dumfries and it was fabulous to meet you and your lovely family.
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Hi Mary I can see this comment. I enjoyed your book and reread bits of it after our visit as it is always helpful when you have more historical context. I hope we will get an opportunity to meet up again in the future. 🤗
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I hope so, too. And maybe we can both hook up with Sue and Barb (and anyone else who wants to join us). How about Arran?
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Hi Mary I had to look up Arran as it is not one of the islands I had heard of. It sounds lovely.
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It is. People say it is Scotland in miniature. I love it, Sue wants to go there, Barb lives there…
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What a great tie-in to reading Mary’s book then touring the area with her. Sounds like a fun trip!
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It has been a lovely trip, Barbara. We return home on Friday night.
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That’s great – that must be a long flight for you – or multiple flights…have a good trip home, Robbie!
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It sounds like an exciting trip, Robbie. It must have been fun to meet up with Mary.
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It has been wonderful, Rob, and meeting up with Mary was a highlight.
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One day I want to be well enough to go to the bloggers bash and meet the people I like so much on WordPress.
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I hope to go to the bash sometime too, Rob. We must try and coincide.
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When I don’t have to see a doctor twice a week I’ll be well enough to travel. I will certainly go when I can.
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Reblogged this on Art by Rob Goldstein and commented:
Check out Robbie’s review of Secret Dumfries by Mary Smith
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Thank you so much for sharing, Rob.
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Excellent! Dumfries is one of those places we always seem to zoom past on the M74, on our way to somewhere else. But I need to explore, if only because of the Bruce connection and his murder of John Comyn in Greyfriars. Dumfries and Galloway is beautiful in parts anyway. The museum sounds great – and how wonderful to meet up with a fellow-blogger!
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This was an interesting visit; thanks for taking me along!
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I am glad you enjoyed it.
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My pleasure, a wonderful day.
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How wonderful to hook up with Mary! I love museums, too, so your trip was a big win all the way around.
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It certainly was a wonderful day, Jennie, and Mary is such a great person and so knowledgeable.
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Win-win, in the best of ways.
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So cool you were able to meet Mary and have a personal tour. Also a great review!
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Thank you, Teri, it was a great book and a great day.
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How wonderful to meet Mary in person and get her tips firsthand on the local surroundings!
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It was great, Christy. A lovely highlight of our trip.
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How lovely to meet up with Mary and get a guided tour of Dumfries. I used to take the train there for one to one tutoring when I was studying Radionics. Precious memories.
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We really were so lucky, Brigid. Mary was a fabulous tour guide. I loved Dumfries. So much wonderful history.
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Robbie, I really enjoyed reading this and discovering you had visited York in the summer and then went on to meet our mutual friend, Mary, in Scotland. Sorry I’m reading this so late. I catch up intermittently it seems, for the moment at least. What a fascinating museum. The last time I was in York was during one of my visits back ‘home’ with my children when we lived in California. We went to Jorvick and also the beautiful York Minster. Beautiful countryside. Great review of Mary’s book too, the perfect companion for your trip, along with Mary too, naturally 🙂 Lovely photo of you both.
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Thank you, Sherri. Mary was a wonderful guide and is a great friend. I loved her book and was delighted to see so many of the things she mentions in her book. I love York and want to visit again.
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