History & Heritage – Castledykes Park
There are numerous historic interpretation boards and murals throughout Castledykes. The Information boards at the gates show an 1856 map of the park, highlighting its historic significance.
Castle Hill
King William the Lion presenting Dumfries with its Royal Charter in 1186
Robert the Bruce raising his standard on 10 February 1306, culminating him becoming King of Scots
Edward 1 of England visiting the castle in 1300 when it was an English garrison
The Georgian Mansion
Description of the mansion built by Ebenezer and Elizabeth Stott in the 1820s
Demolition by Dumfries Council in 1954
Previous owners/residents of Castledykes Estate
Paradise Hill
Site of an earlier motte and bailey castle beside the River Nith
Types of sailing boats which may have docked at Castledykes Quay
The Sunken Garden
From a quarry, to a beautiful garden, then a sewage works and back to a beautiful garden
The amazing garden created by Elizabeth Stott
Whole town events of the 1960s
Historic Tableau
Local artist Jo McSkimming has cleverly wound the River Nith throughout the nine panels, from the Mesolithic Age to 19 th century mill workers. Council archaeologist, Andrew Nicholson, assisted with the text, encouraging people to visit historic sites in other parts of the region.
750th Birth of Robert the Bruce The People’s Project will be working with the Medieval Bruce Heritage Trust to commemorate the 750 th anniversary of the birth of Robert the Bruce on 13 and 14 July 2024.
On the Sunday the festivities will be in Castledykes Park with medieval re-enactment camps and the ‘Bruce family’ telling their story underneath the watchful eye of our statue of Robert the Bruce in the Sunken Garden.
Other Historic Murals
The slaying of the Red Comyn at Greyfriars Church, 10 February 1306, Robert the Bruce raising his standard at the castle in 1306, Bruce and the spider, The Battle of Glen Trool in 1307
