Castle Douglas

infobox UK place
country = Scotland
official_name= Castle Douglas
gaelic_name= Caisteal Dhùghlais
scots_name= Castle Douglas
population= 3,671 [cite web|publisher=Scotland's Census Results Online|title =Comparative Population Profile: Castle Douglas Locality | url=http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/browser/profile.jsp?profile=Population&mainArea=castle+douglas&mainLevel=Locality | date = 2001-04-29| accessdate =2008-09-01 ] (2001 census)
est. 3,870 [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/statistics/publications-and-data] (2006) |os_grid_reference= NX765625
latitude=54.94182
longitude=-3.92945
map_type=Scotland
unitary_scotland= Dumfries and Galloway
lieutenancy_scotland= The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright
constituency_westminster= Dumfries & Galloway
constituency_scottish_parliament= Dumfries & Galloway
post_town= CASTLE DOUGLAS
postcode_district = DG7
postcode_area= DG
dial_code= 01556 :"For the castle in South Lanarkshire, see Douglas Castle"Castle Douglas (Gd: "Caisteal Dhùghlais"), 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. The town is almost universally known by the inhabitants and others living nearby as CD (cee-dee).

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. Small Roman forts were situated nearby, built around AD 81 but were abandoned soon after.

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 passed through the Carlingwark area and improved transportation connections in the 1700s.

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.

ights and Attractions

The town houses the Castle Douglas Art Gallery, an offshoot of the Stewartry Museum at Kirkcudbright.

Near the centre of town is Carlingwark Loch, an attractive 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 very 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.

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 traditional shops no longer found on many town high streets. As of 2008 Castle Douglas still has a greengrocers, several butchers shops, many arts and craft shops, a brewery, an antique restorers and a clockmaker. Also on King Street are Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants as well as numerous pubs and hotels serving meals and several take-aways.

Parking in the town is free. There is a large carpark on the 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.

Walks

A short walk around the park beside Carlingwark Loch makes a very pleasant stroll. As a continuation there is the walk known as Lover's Walk, which goes out along the south shore of the loch 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 now also 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 2km apart.

Famous People from Castle Douglas

The Rt. Hon. Dr David Clark, Baron Clark of Windermere
Major-General Sir Victor Fortune
Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Emma Pollock
Ex-Footballer, radio commentator Ted McMinn

ee also

*List of places in Dumfries and Galloway

References

External links

* [http://www.castledouglas.net/ CastleDouglas.net]
* [http://www.castledouglashighschool.dumgal.sch.uk/ Castle Douglas High School]