Castle Douglas
Encyclopedia
Castle Douglas a town in the south of Scotland
in Dumfries and Galloway
, lies in the eastern part of Galloway
known as the Stewartry, between the towns of Dalbeattie
and Gatehouse of Fleet
.
forts, the first being erected during the invasion of Agricola
and the second during the Antonine period, they appear to have been for cavarly units and evidence has been found that a "victus" grew up around them, they were abandoned completely about 160.
Nearby Threave Castle
was a seat of the powerful "Black" Earls of Douglas. A small collection of cottages developed by the shores of Carlingwark, which was a source of marl
. These cottages can still be seen on the Western approach to Castle Douglas and are known as The Buchan. The development of a military road through Galloway, built by General Wade after Jacobite rising of 1745, passed through the Carlingwark area and improved transportation connections in the 18th century.
Castle Douglas was founded in 1792 by a wealthy descendant of the Douglas family, William Douglas
, who made his money in an 'American Trade' and created a planned town on the shores of Carlingwark Loch. The town's layout is based upon the grid plan
pattern of streets as used in Edinburgh's New Town, built around the same time. Sir William Douglas also created a number of industries in Castle Douglas, including hand-woven cotton factories from which Cotton Street derives its name.
The completion of the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
in 1859 further improved the town's connections, and it soon developed into a major market town for the surrounding area. This is still true today and the 1900 hexagonal market building is in constant use. Although the railway was closed in 1965 the A75
trunk road was developed roughly following the lines of the original military road and passed through Castle Douglas. The many hotels and pubs which derived from coach stops are an indication of the town's importance as a stopping place for travellers.
Castle Douglas was a reception area for Glasgow
's evacuated children during World War II
.
at Kirkcudbright
. Near the centre of town is Carlingwark Loch, a loch and SSSI, home to numerous water birds.
Nearby stands Threave Castle
, the family castle of the Black Douglas
line of the House of Douglas. It lies on an island in the middle of the River Dee, admission includes the short ferry journey.
Also to the west of the town are Threave Gardens
, a National Trust for Scotland
property.
Threave Rovers F.C.
are the local football team in Castle Douglas, they play at Meadow Park and tend to play in black and white colours.
Castle Douglas hosts an annual Civic Week (2010) which is the focal event of the year. Its usual format is a week of events around the last week in July, culminating on Douglas Day when a street procession and carnival in Lochside Park takes place.
Castle Douglas is designated Scotland's Food Town by Irvings Bakery due to the many food related shops in the town, and the quality of ingredients available in the immediate area. A Food Town Day is held annually at the end of May.
(Köppen
Cfb), resulting in moderate temperatures, year round rainfall, and windy, often cloudy conditions. The nearest MetOffice weather station is at Threave, about 1.5 miles west of the town centre
The main shopping street in Castle Douglas is King Street. It has a wide range of shops, including many shops not often found on many town high streets. Castle Douglas has two supermarkets (Cooperative and Tesco) and a Spar convenience store. Also on King Street are Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants as well as pubs and hotels serving meals and several take-aways. Castle Douglas is designated Scotland's Food Town by Irvings Bakery and boasts some 50 outlets connected with the food industry.
Parking in the town is free. There is a large car park at Market Hill at the top of the town next to the Tourist Information Centre. There is also free parking on many of the side streets that lead away from the town centre.
As a Regional Market Town, Castle Douglas accommodates Wallet's Mart, a livestock market visited by HM the Queen in July 2010.
There are several churches in Castle Douglas, including a Church of Scotland, a Betheren who have recently acquired a new building, an Episcopalian and a vibrant Elim Pentecostal Church.
There is a library which hosts art displays, swimming pool and bus hub in Market Street. The library offers a range of services including internet access; the swimming pool has a fitness suite attached; the bus hub provides services throughout Dumfries and Galloway, and onward through Scotland and England.
to an area of marsh and a bird hide, from where further trails lead back to the town or on to Kelton Hill and Threave Gardens. There is a walk leading from the town to Threave Castle
, and there is a network of trails around the National Trust for Scotland
property at Threave Gardens. Threave Castle and Threave Gardens are both to the west of the town and about 2 km apart.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...
, lies in the eastern part of Galloway
Galloway
Galloway is an area in southwestern Scotland. It usually refers to the former counties of Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire...
known as the Stewartry, between the towns of Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie
Dalbeattie is a town in Dumfries and Galloway , Scotland.Dalbeattie is situated in a wooded valley on the Urr Water east of Castle Douglas and south west of Dumfries...
and Gatehouse of Fleet
Gatehouse of Fleet
Gatehouse of Fleet is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, which has existed since the mid-18th century, although the area has been inhabited since much earlier...
.
History
Castle Douglas is built next to Carlingwark Loch in which traces of prehistoric crannogs can be found, evidence of early inhabitation of the area. In fact, until 1792, when Sir William Douglas made changes; Castle was aptly named for the local loch, and known as Carlingwark. To the North of the town Glenlochar is the site of two successive RomanAncient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
forts, the first being erected during the invasion of Agricola
Gnaeus Julius Agricola
Gnaeus Julius Agricola was a Roman general responsible for much of the Roman conquest of Britain. His biography, the De vita et moribus Iulii Agricolae, was the first published work of his son-in-law, the historian Tacitus, and is the source for most of what is known about him.Born to a noted...
and the second during the Antonine period, they appear to have been for cavarly units and evidence has been found that a "victus" grew up around them, they were abandoned completely about 160.
Nearby Threave Castle
Threave Castle
Threave Castle is situated on an island in the River Dee, 2.5 km west of Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
was a seat of the powerful "Black" Earls of Douglas. A small collection of cottages developed by the shores of Carlingwark, which was a source of marl
Marl
Marl or marlstone is a calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud or mudstone which contains variable amounts of clays and aragonite. Marl was originally an old term loosely applied to a variety of materials, most of which occur as loose, earthy deposits consisting chiefly of an intimate mixture of clay...
. These cottages can still be seen on the Western approach to Castle Douglas and are known as The Buchan. The development of a military road through Galloway, built by General Wade after Jacobite rising of 1745, passed through the Carlingwark area and improved transportation connections in the 18th century.
Castle Douglas was founded in 1792 by a wealthy descendant of the Douglas family, William Douglas
William Douglas, Castle Douglas
thumb|Douglas MausoleumSir William Douglas, 1st Baronet was a Scottish landowner and industrialist, best known for founding the planned town of Castle Douglas in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, south-west Scotland....
, who made his money in an 'American Trade' and created a planned town on the shores of Carlingwark Loch. The town's layout is based upon the grid plan
Grid plan
The grid plan, grid street plan or gridiron plan is a type of city plan in which streets run at right angles to each other, forming a grid...
pattern of streets as used in Edinburgh's New Town, built around the same time. Sir William Douglas also created a number of industries in Castle Douglas, including hand-woven cotton factories from which Cotton Street derives its name.
The completion of the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway
The Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway was a nominally independent railway in south west Scotland which linked Dumfries to Castle Douglas.-History:It was incorporated on 21 July 1856; the act was obtained by the Glasgow and South Western Railway....
in 1859 further improved the town's connections, and it soon developed into a major market town for the surrounding area. This is still true today and the 1900 hexagonal market building is in constant use. Although the railway was closed in 1965 the A75
A75 road
The A75 is a major road in Scotland, heading west along the south coast of Scotland from its junction with the A74 motorway at Gretna. It continues past Eastriggs, Annan, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Gatehouse of Fleet, Newton Stewart and Glenluce before ending at Stranraer.The majority of the road...
trunk road was developed roughly following the lines of the original military road and passed through Castle Douglas. The many hotels and pubs which derived from coach stops are an indication of the town's importance as a stopping place for travellers.
Castle Douglas was a reception area for Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
's evacuated children during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Notable people
- Ted McMinnTed McMinnKevin Clifton "Ted" McMinn is a Scottish former association footballer who played as a winger. His nickname is The Tin Man.-Early years:...
, ex profesional footballer and commentator, was born in CD - Joe AnsbroJoe AnsbroJoe Ansbro is a Scottish international professional rugby union player. He is the first player of Afro-Caribbean origin to represent Scotland at test level in history. His favoured position is centre. He is currently playing for London Irish. -Early years:Ansbro was born in Glasgow and raised near...
, rugby professional, played youth rugby in Castle Douglas for Stewartry Rugby Club - Arthur Smith (rugby union), Scottish rugby player
- The Rt. Hon. Dr David Clark, Baron Clark of WindermereDavid Clark, Baron Clark of WindermereDavid George Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere PC DL is a British Labour politician, former cabinet minister and author.-Education and early career:...
- Major-General Sir Victor FortuneVictor FortuneMajor-General Sir Victor Morven Fortune KBE, CB, DSO was a British Army officer. He saw service in both World Wars...
- Kirsty Wark journalist and television presenter
Sights and attractions
The Castle Douglas Art Gallery is an offshoot of the Stewartry MuseumStewartry Museum
The Stewartry Museum is a local museum in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, which covers the past history of this part of Galloway. One of its most important collections is that of the prehistoric rock art carvings which have been found in the region. The museum also stores some casts made from rock art...
at Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.The town lies south of Castle Douglas and Dalbeattie, in the part of Dumfries and Galloway known as the Stewartry, at the mouth of the River Dee, some six miles from the sea...
. Near the centre of town is Carlingwark Loch, a loch and SSSI, home to numerous water birds.
Nearby stands Threave Castle
Threave Castle
Threave Castle is situated on an island in the River Dee, 2.5 km west of Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
, the family castle of the Black Douglas
Earl of Douglas
This page is concerned with the holders of the extinct title Earl of Douglas and the preceding feudal barons of Douglas, South Lanarkshire. The title was created in the Peerage of Scotland in 1358 for William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas, son of Sir Archibald Douglas, Guardian of Scotland...
line of the House of Douglas. It lies on an island in the middle of the River Dee, admission includes the short ferry journey.
Also to the west of the town are Threave Gardens
Threave Gardens
Threave Garden is located near Castle Douglas in south west Scotland.The garden is in size, and is part of the Threave Estate originally developed by William Gordon who bought the estate in 1867. It is now owned and managed by the National Trust for Scotland...
, a National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
property.
Threave Rovers F.C.
Threave Rovers F.C.
Threave Rovers Football Club is a football club from Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Formed in October 1953, the club plays its home games at Meadow Park, in Castle Douglas....
are the local football team in Castle Douglas, they play at Meadow Park and tend to play in black and white colours.
Castle Douglas hosts an annual Civic Week (2010) which is the focal event of the year. Its usual format is a week of events around the last week in July, culminating on Douglas Day when a street procession and carnival in Lochside Park takes place.
Castle Douglas is designated Scotland's Food Town by Irvings Bakery due to the many food related shops in the town, and the quality of ingredients available in the immediate area. A Food Town Day is held annually at the end of May.
Climate
As with the remainder of the UK, Castle Douglas has a climate classified as OceanicOceanic climate
An oceanic climate, also called marine west coast climate, maritime climate, Cascadian climate and British climate for Köppen climate classification Cfb and subtropical highland for Köppen Cfb or Cwb, is a type of climate typically found along the west coasts at the middle latitudes of some of the...
(Köppen
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Cfb), resulting in moderate temperatures, year round rainfall, and windy, often cloudy conditions. The nearest MetOffice weather station is at Threave, about 1.5 miles west of the town centre
Amenities
The town is commonly used by tourists as a base for exploring the rest of the area. There is a camping and caravan park by Carlingwark Loch and many hotels.The main shopping street in Castle Douglas is King Street. It has a wide range of shops, including many shops not often found on many town high streets. Castle Douglas has two supermarkets (Cooperative and Tesco) and a Spar convenience store. Also on King Street are Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants as well as pubs and hotels serving meals and several take-aways. Castle Douglas is designated Scotland's Food Town by Irvings Bakery and boasts some 50 outlets connected with the food industry.
Parking in the town is free. There is a large car park at Market Hill at the top of the town next to the Tourist Information Centre. There is also free parking on many of the side streets that lead away from the town centre.
As a Regional Market Town, Castle Douglas accommodates Wallet's Mart, a livestock market visited by HM the Queen in July 2010.
There are several churches in Castle Douglas, including a Church of Scotland, a Betheren who have recently acquired a new building, an Episcopalian and a vibrant Elim Pentecostal Church.
There is a library which hosts art displays, swimming pool and bus hub in Market Street. The library offers a range of services including internet access; the swimming pool has a fitness suite attached; the bus hub provides services throughout Dumfries and Galloway, and onward through Scotland and England.
Walks
A walk around the park beside Carlingwark Loch can be continued along Lover's Walk, which goes out along the south shore of the lochLoch
Loch is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic word for a lake or a sea inlet. It has been anglicised as lough, although this is pronounced the same way as loch. Some lochs could also be called a firth, fjord, estuary, strait or bay...
to an area of marsh and a bird hide, from where further trails lead back to the town or on to Kelton Hill and Threave Gardens. There is a walk leading from the town to Threave Castle
Threave Castle
Threave Castle is situated on an island in the River Dee, 2.5 km west of Castle Douglas, in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
, and there is a network of trails around the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
property at Threave Gardens. Threave Castle and Threave Gardens are both to the west of the town and about 2 km apart.