Peter Pan’s father came from Dumfries – Dumfries and Galloway
Burns died in Dumfries, July 21, 1796, after a lifetime of ill health caused by childhood malnutrition and poverty. His work, however, left a lasting legacy that led to the founding of the Burns Howff Club in 1889. Established at the Globe Inn, Burns’ favorite “howff” (“house”), the club includes a program of events developed to encourage Robert Burns enthusiasm among children. The club also works to promote Robert Burns, Dumfries and the historic value of the contribution of Robert Burns to Scotland’s national heritage.
What’s more, a local home, Moat Brae, is held to be the place where “Peter Pan” was born. According to his own account, Barrie befriended the sons of a local solicitor, the Gordon boys, whose family lived at Moat Brae. Together their shared a lively sense of fantasy and adventure, playing at being pirates in the garden of Moat Brae. Thus was the seed of “Peter Pan” planted in Barrie’s imagination.
J. M. Barrie’s relationship to Dumfries is only one of the many surprises awaiting visitors to this charming city in southwest Scotland and its surrounding countryside. The region is known for an impressive combination of agriculture, woodlands, light industry and tourism. Dumfries and Galloway offer many splendid opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, fishing and other outdoor pursuits as well as local history with global connections. What’s more, the residents are a well-read lot quite versed in local lore.
Six years later, the first academic lectures in Great Britain (possibly in the world) for the nursing profession were given at the Crichton Royal, Dumfries in 1854. These occurred six years before Florence Nightingale, considered the mother of modern hygienic nursing, began to teach her methods for germ control and patient care.
Another Dumfries inventor was Patrick Millar of Dalswinton. He designed the “Carronade, ” an armament that later helped repel the French Navy. Millar also introduced the threshing mill and drill plough to Scotland.
The natural heights of Dumfries and Galloway are matched by its manmade achievements. For instance, the city includes Scotland’s shortest street, Chapel Street Moffat, and its narrowest street, Syme Street Moffat. It also boasts Britain’s narrowest hotel, The Star Hotel, Moffat its highest Post Office at the aforementioned Wanlockhead. Dating from 1792, The Theatre Royal, Dumfries, is Scotland’s oldest theater still in service.
After these urban centers, there’s no settlement in the region with a population greater than 4,500. In fact, the region’s total population density is 60 people per square mile, compared to the Scottish average of 168 per square mile. Makes getting to know your neighbors a lot easier, doesn’t it?
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