Delighted to showcase the latest local history book from Mary Smith with photographer Keith Kirk, which is on Pre-Order until November 15th. The A-Z of Dumfries: Places – People – History.
About the book
“The town of Dumfries, in the south-west of Scotland and known as ‘the Queen of the South’, became a royal burgh in 1186 and grew into an important market town and port in the medieval period. During its often turbulent past, Dumfries played an important role in the Wars of Independence as the starting point of Robert the Bruce’s campaign for the Scottish throne, and later hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army. The poet Robert Burns spent his last years in Dumfries and in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the port of Dumfries benefited from trade with the Americas, as well as being a major exporter of tweed. During the Second World War Dumfries was home to the Norwegian army in exile, and although the port has closed today, it is the administrative centre for the Dumfries and Galloway region.
A–Z of Dumfries delves into the history of the town, revealing interesting and significant moments in its story. It highlights well-known landmarks, famous residents and digs beneath the surface to uncover some of the lesser-known facts about Dumfries and its hidden gems. This fascinating A–Z tour of Dumfries’ history is fully illustrated and will appeal to all those with an interest in this popular town in south-west Scotland.”
Buy the book at the pre-order price: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-Dumfries-Places-People-History-Mary-Smith-ebook/dp/B07ZJC238G/
and on Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Z-Dumfries-Places-People-History-Mary-Smith-ebook/dp/B07ZJC238G/
Other local history books by Mary Smith
One of the reviews for Secret Dumfries
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.
Also by Mary Smith
Read the reviews and buy the books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mary-Smith/e/B001KCD4P0
And Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Smith/e/B001KCD4P0
Read more reviews and follow Mary on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5239367.Mary_Smith
About Mary Smith
Mary Smith has always loved writing. As a child she wrote stories in homemade books made from wallpaper trimmings – but she never thought people could grow up and become real writers. She spent a year working in a bank, which she hated – all numbers, very few words – ten years with Oxfam in the UK, followed by ten years working in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
She longed to allow others to share her amazing, life-changing experiences so she wrote about them – fiction, non-fiction, poetry and journalism. And she discovered the little girl who wrote stories had become a real writer after all.
Drunk Chickens and Burnt Macaroni: Real Stories of Afghan Women is an account of her time in Afghanistan and her debut novel No More Mulberries is also set in Afghanistan.
Connect to Mary Smith
Website: http://www.marysmith.co.uk/
Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000934032543
Twitter: https://twitter.com/marysmithwriter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5239367.Mary_Smith
New Blog: https://marysmithsplace.wordpress.com/
Blog: https://marysmith57.wordpress.com/2014/07/
About Photographer Keith Kirk
Keith Kirk is primarily a Wildlife and Natural History Photographer/Writer living and working in the Stewartry area of Dumfries and Galloway. Although he does undertake many other projects and commissions.
His day job was Countryside Ranger with Dumfries and Galloway Council Ranger Service, something he did for over 37 years. In what spare time he has he pursues his passion for the countryside which he shares with you on his blog: http://www.dumfriesandgallowaywildlife.co.uk/
If you live in the area, then why not join Keith on one of his Nocturnal Wildlife Experiences.
Be prepared to be amazed by what you can see and experience with the aid of our professional range of hand held night vision and thermal imaging wildlife observation equipment: Nocturnal Wildlife Experience
Thank you for popping in today and it would be great if your could share the news of Mary’s new book far and wide… thanks Sally
Thanks so much, Sally. Keith and I really appreciate the promotion.
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Delighted to share Mary.. looks amazing..hugsx
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Thanks, Sally. We enjoyed working on it.
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Cyberspouse was born in Dumfries – if his mother had gone to the nursing home in the other direction he would have been born in England. The border country is so interesting, but I don’t know much about Dumfries.
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He was very lucky then 🙂 Come and explore it sometime. Robbie will tell you I’m a happy tour guide.
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A wonderful opportunity to discover more Janet and sounds like a visit might be worth it.. hugsx
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Dumfries is one of my favourite places. Hubby and I are touring Scotland late next year, and this will be one of our stops. It’s great to see a book all about it here. Thanks for sharing, Sally 🙂
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Do let me know when you will be in Dumfries. It would be great to meet up and a pleasure to show you round.
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Wonderful Harmony and I hope you connect with Mary while you are there.. hugsx
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Oh yay, I have pre-ordered the kindle version.
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Fantastic Robbie..hugsxx
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Thanks, Robbie. I hope you enjoy it as much as Secret Dumfries. Maybe see you here again one day 🙂
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Reblogged this on Sue Vincent's Daily Echo.
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Thanks for sharing Mary’s new book Sue..hugsx
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Thank you too! I had missed this one xx
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Thanks so much for sharing, Sue.
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My pleasure, Mary.
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Sounds great. A place I want to visit.
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Certainly Mary and Keith have done an amazing job on promoting Dumfries.. on my list too.. and with any luck we will get to have lunch with Mary..on us of course…xx
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Sounds like a plan, Sally. Would be great to see you here. We could have a mini Bloggers’ Bash 🙂
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That would be amazing Mary and would make a lovely weekend break in the spring..hugsx
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It would be lovely to see you here, Darlene.
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Congratulations to Mary on her latest release. 😀I often used to go through Dumfries but never stopped to visit the town! What a pity! I’ve missed so much. Robbie’s review of the book is superb and thorough, describing it in great detail. I’m touched to read about Tinker. I don’t buy many non-fiction books but this is one I’m preordering today. Many thanks for sharing, Sally and wishing you all a lovely weekend! Xx 😀🌺
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Thanks, Annika. And if you are ever passing through Dumfries again, do give me a shout. Sorry to be nosy but what took you through Dumfries?
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That should probably have been past Dumfries as I always saw the sign! I went to University of St. Andrews and we drove up from Yorkshire all the time … and now I have friends in Glasgow! Thank you, next time I’ll make sure we stop off and definitely let you know in advance! Have a great weekend!
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Thank you Annika… and enjoy your weekend too..hugs xxx
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Congratulations Mary, on your newest release – and for the lovely review from Robbie! ❤
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Thanks Debby ♥
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Thanks, Debby. I’m so pleased Sally has told people about it 🙂 And Robbie’s review of Secret Dumfries is wonderful – one of those reviews that make a writer do a wee happy dance!
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I certainly understand you Mary. Makes your day. 🙂 x
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Yikes for Chapters 2 and 3!
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I expect they noticed a drop in peat thefts after a couple of public brandings! x
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One would expect so!
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