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Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway (Scots: Dumfries an Gallowa; Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland, located in the western part of the Southern Uplands. It is bordered by East Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, and South Lanarkshire to the north; Scottish Borders to the north-east; the English ceremonial county of Cumbria, the Solway Firth, and the Irish Sea to the south, and the North Channel to the west. The administrative centre and largest settlement is the town of Dumfries. The second largest town is Stranraer, located 76 miles (122 km) to the west of Dumfries on the North Channel coast.

Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries an Gallowa
Dùn Phris is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh
Coordinates: 55°06′N 3°54′W / 55.1°N 3.9°W / 55.1; -3.9
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
CountryScotland
Lieutenancy areasDumfries
Stewartry of Kirkcudbright
Wigtown
Admin HQCounty Buildings, English Street, Dumfries
Government
 • LeaderGail MacGregor (Cons)
Area
 • Total2,481 sq mi (6,426 km2)
 • RankRanked 3rd
Population
 (2021)
 • Total148,790
 • RankRanked 13th
 • Density60/sq mi (23/km2)
ONS codeS12000006
ISO 3166 codeGB-DGY
Topographic map of Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway corresponds to the historic shires of Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Wigtownshire, the last two of which are collectively known as Galloway. The three counties were combined in 1975 to form a single region, with four districts within it. The districts were abolished in 1996, since when Dumfries and Galloway has been a unitary local authority. For lieutenancy purposes, the area is divided into three lieutenancy areas called Dumfries, Wigtown, and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright, broadly corresponding to the three historic counties.

Geography edit

The Dumfries and Galloway Council region is composed of counties and their sub-areas. From east to west:

The term Dumfries and Galloway has been used since at least the 19th century – by 1911 the three counties had a united sheriffdom under that name. Dumfries and Galloway covers the majority of the western area of the Southern Uplands,[1] it also hosts Scotland's most Southerly point, at the Mull of Galloway[2] in the west of the region.

Water systems and transport routes edit

The region has a number of south running water systems which break through the Southern Uplands creating the main road, and rail, arteries north–south through the region and breaking the hills up into a number of ranges.

The A701 branches off the M74 at Beattock, goes through the town of Moffat, climbs to Annanhead above the Devil's Beef Tub (at the source of the River Annan) before passing the source of the River Tweed and carrying on to Edinburgh. Until fairly recent times the ancient route to Edinburgh travelled right up Annandale to the Beef Tub before climbing steeply to Annanhead.[4] The present road ascends northward on a ridge parallel to Annandale but to the west of it which makes for a much easier ascent.

From Moffat the A708 heads north east along the valley of Moffat Water (Moffatdale) on its way to Selkirk. Moffatdale separates the Moffat hills (to the north) from the Ettrick hills to the south.

National scenic areas edit

There are three National scenic areas within this region.

Transport edit

Transport in the region is operated by bus companies Houston's, McEwan's, Stagecoach Western and McCall's coaches, and train operators ScotRail, TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast.

Railway edit

 
A Virgin Pendolino leaving Lockerbie station for Carlisle

The region has seven working railway stations. All are on the Glasgow South Western Line, except Lockerbie which is on the West Coast Main Line.

The Port line edit

The mainline from Dumfries railway station via Newton Stewart to Stranraer Harbour railway station, was closed under the Beeching cuts. The line previously connected London Euston and the West Coast Main Line with the ferries to Larne Harbour railway station and the Port of Belfast.

The Port Road line to Stranraer was the last to go in June 1965, leaving only the original G&SWR main line open to serve the Stranraer. The Beeching cuts ended the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway and Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway has resulted in adverse mileage to connect Stranraer with a longer line via Kilmarnock and Ayr.

Bus and coach edit

The area is served by buses which connect the main population centres. Express bus services link the main towns with Glasgow, Ayr, Edinburgh and Carlisle. Local bus services also operate across the region.

Sea edit

 
Stena Line provided HSS sailings between Stranraer and Belfast

Dumfries and Galloway is home to two ports which have services to Northern Ireland, both are in the West of the region. Stena Line and P&O Irish Sea both have a port in the village of Cairnryan.

Air edit

The region also has no commercial airports; the nearest are Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Carlisle Lake District Airport. The region does host a number of private airfields. The town of Lockerbie was the scene of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist attack on 21 December 1988.

Roads edit

The main roads to and from the region are:

Emergency services edit

Police Scotland is the police force for the region. Its predecessor, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary (dissolved 2014) was the smallest police force in the United Kingdom. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (formerly Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service) provides firefighting services across the region. The Coastguard, Lifeboats, Moffat mountain rescue and Galloway Mountain Rescue also offer emergency services across Dumfries and Galloway.

Nith Inshore Rescue is based at Glencaple. This independent lifeboat provides water rescue cover for the River Nith, surrounding rivers and inland water. Nith Inshore Rescue is a declared facility for HM Coastguard, the control centre and overseeing authority responsible for call outs.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway provides healthcare services across the region. The two main hospitals are the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in Dumfries and Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer.

Education edit

Dumfries & Galloway Council provides nursery, primary and secondary education across the region.

Alternative Schools edit

Nursery and primary schools edit

For a list of nursery schools and primary schools, see List of state schools in Scotland/Council Areas A-D (excluding cities).

Secondary schools edit

 
The Minerva building of Dumfries Academy

Wildlife edit

The region is known as a stronghold for several rare and protected species of amphibian, such as the Natterjack toad and the Great crested newt.[15] There are also RSPB Nature Reserves at the Mull of Galloway,[16] Wood of Cree (Galloway Forest Park),[17] Ken Dee Marshes (near Loch Ken)[18] and Mereshead (near Dalbeattie on the Solway Firth)

 
Welcome sign

Outdoor activities edit

There are five 7Stanes[19] mountain biking centres in Dumfries and Galloway at Dalbeattie, Mabie, Ae, Glentrool and Kirroughtree. The Sustrans Route 7[20] long distance cycle route also runs through the region. There is excellent hill walking in the Moffat Hills,[21] Lowther Hills [22] the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills [23] and Galloway Hills.[24] The Southern Upland Way[25] coast to coast walk passes through Dumfries and Galloway and the 53-mile long Annandale Way [26] travels from the Solway Firth into the Moffat hills near the Devil's Beef Tub. There is also fresh water sailing on Castle Loch at Lochmaben[27] and at various places on Loch Ken[28][29] Loch Ken also offers waterskiing and wakeboarding. [30] The Solway Firth coastline offers fishing, caravaning and camping, walking and sailing.

Arts and culture edit

Dumfries and Galloway is well known for its arts and cultural activities as well as its natural environment.[citation needed]

The major festivals include the region-wide Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, and Spring Fling Open Studios. Other festivals include Big Burns Supper in Dumfries and the Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown – Scotland's national book town.

Settlements edit

Largest settlements by population:

Settlement Population (mid-2020 est.)[31]
Dumfries

33,470

Stranraer

10,110

Annan

8,760

Locharbriggs

5,610

Lockerbie

4,190

Dalbeattie

4,160

Newton Stewart

4,030

Castle Douglas

4,000

Kirkcudbright

3,350

Gretna

3,110

Main settlements in bold text.

Places of interest edit

Governance edit

Dumfries and Galloway
 
Leadership
Malcolm Johnstone,
Conservative
since 7 March 2023
Gail Macgregor,
Conservative
since 7 March 2023
Dawn Roberts
since July 2022[33]
Structure
Seats43 councillors
17 / 43
11 / 43
8 / 43
1 / 43
6 / 43
Elections
Single transferable vote
Last election
6 May 2022
Next election
2027
Meeting place
 
Council Offices, 113 English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2DD
Website
www.dumgal.gov.uk

Administrative history edit

Prior to 1975, the area that is now Dumfries and Galloway was administered as three separate counties: Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, and Wigtownshire. The counties of Scotland originated as sheriffdoms, which were established from the twelfth century, consisting of a group of parishes over which a sheriff had jurisdiction.[34] An elected county council was established for each county in 1890 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889.

The three county councils were abolished in 1975 under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, which established a two-tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper-tier regions and lower-tier districts. A region called Dumfries and Galloway was created covering the area of the three counties, which were abolished as administrative areas. The region contained four districts:[35]

  • Annandale and Eskdale, covering the eastern part of Dumfriesshire.
  • Nithsdale, covering the western part of Dumfriesshire and a small part of Kirkcudbrightshire.
  • Stewartry, covering most of Kirkcudbrightshire.
  • Wigtown, covering all of Wigtownshire and a small part of Kirkcudbrightshire.[a]

Further local government reform in 1996 under the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994 saw the area's four districts abolished, with the Dumfries and Galloway Council taking over the functions they had previously performed.[37] The council continues to use the areas of the four abolished districts as committee areas. The four former districts are also used to define the area's three lieutenancy areas, with Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale together forming the Dumfries lieutenancy, the Stewartry district corresponding to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright lieutenancy, and the Wigtown district corresponding to the Wigtown lieutenancy.[38]

The council headquarters is at the Council Offices at 113 English Street in Dumfries, which had been built in 1914 as the headquarters for the old Dumfriesshire County Council, previously being called "County Buildings".[39][40]

Political control edit

The first election to the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council was held in 1974, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975. A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996. Political control of the council since 1975 has been as follows:[41]

Regional council

Party in control Years
Independent 1975–1994
No overall control 1994–1996

Unitary authority

Party in control Years
No overall control 1996–present

Leadership edit

Since 2007 the council has been required to designate a leader of the council. The leader may also act as the convener, chairing council meetings, or the council may choose to appoint a different councillor to be convener.[42] Prior to 2007 the council sometimes chose to appoint a leader, and sometimes did not. The leaders since 2007 have been:[43]

Councillor Party From To Notes
Ivor Hyslop Conservative 15 May 2007 1 Oct 2013
Ronnie Nicholson Labour 1 Oct 2013 23 May 2017
Elaine Murray Labour 23 May 2017 5 May 2022
Stephen Thompson SNP 24 May 2022 3 Feb 2023 Co-leaders, with Thompson being the civic head and convener and Dorward being the depute convener.
Linda Dorward Labour
Stephen Thompson SNP 3 Feb 2023 28 Feb 2023
Gail Macgregor[44] Conservative 7 Mar 2023 Malcolm Johnstone (CON) as Depute Leader of the Council and Convenor

Elections edit

Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system of election. This system was introduced by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 to achieve a reasonably proportionately representative outcome. Election results since 1995 have been as follows:[41]

Year Seats Conservative SNP Labour Liberal Democrats Independent Notes
1995 70 2 9 21 10 28
1999 47 8 5 13 6 15 New ward boundaries.[45]
2003 47 11 5 14 5 12
2007 47 18 10 14 3 2 New ward boundaries.[46] Conservative and SNP coalition.
2012 47 14 10 15 1 7 Conservative / SNP coalition until October 2013.[47] Labour / SNP coalition until June 2014.[48] Minority Labour administration 2014–2017.
2017 43 16 11 11 1 4 New ward boundaries.[49] Labour and SNP coalition.
2022 43 16 11 9 1 6 SNP and Independent Group Coalition with Labour support until February 2023.[50] Conservative minority administration from March 2023.[44]

Wards edit

 
Map of the area's wards (2017 configuration)

The council area is divided into 12 wards that elect 43 councilors:

Gallery edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ The district of Wigtown was named in the 1973 Act as "Merrick", but the name was changed to Wigtown prior to the new system coming into force in 1975.[36]
  1. ^ "Visit Southern Scotland".
  2. ^ "Home". Mull of Galloway.
  3. ^ "Home". www.theglenkens.org.uk.
  4. ^ (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2007.
  5. ^ "Nith Estuary National Scenic Area". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  6. ^ . Roman Britain. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009.
  7. ^ . Archived from the original on 4 February 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  8. ^ "Forestry Commission web page on Mabie Forest and its facilities".
  9. ^ . Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  10. ^ . Archived from the original on 6 January 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  11. ^ "East Stewartry National Scenic Area Map, and Introduction to Coastal Walks in the Area". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  12. ^ . Archived from the original on 17 December 2009. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
  13. ^ "Mersehead Nature Reserve, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland". The RSPB.
  14. ^ "Fleet Valley National Scenic Area". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  15. ^ "Rallying cry from frog stronghold". BBC News. 6 May 2008.
  16. ^ "Mull Of Galloway Nature Reserve, Scotland". The RSPB.
  17. ^ "Wood Of Cree Nature Reserve, Dumfries & Galloway". The RSPB.
  18. ^ "Ken-Dee Marshes Nature Reserve, Dumfries & Galloway". The RSPB.
  19. ^ "7stanes mountain biking - Forestry and Land Scotland". forestryandland.gov.scot.
  20. ^ . Archived from the original on 10 March 2013.
  21. ^ "Moffat Hills Introduction showing Hill Walk Routes and Local Information". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  22. ^ "Hillwalking in the Durisdeer and Lowther Hills - Introduction". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  23. ^ "Hill Walking in the Scaur or Carsphairn Hills - Introduction, Scotland". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  24. ^ "Hill Walking Routes in Galloway - Introduction". www.walkscotland.plus.com.
  25. ^ . Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  26. ^ "Annandale Way - Welcome". annandaleway.org.
  27. ^ "Annandale Sailing Club : Home". Annandale Sailing Club.
  28. ^ "Loch Ken Marina - Water Sports & Water Skiing in Dumfries and Galloway". www.lochken.com.
  29. ^ "skilochken.co.uk - Domain Name For Sale". DAN.COM.
  30. ^ . www.airds.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2013.
  31. ^ "Mid-2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland". National Records of Scotland. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  32. ^ "Home". Devils Porridge Museum.
  33. ^ "Dumfries and Galloway Council appoints new Chief Executive". Dumfries and Galloway Council. 6 April 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Type details for Scottish County". Vision of Britain. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
  35. ^ "Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1973 c. 65, retrieved 22 November 2022
  36. ^ "The Lord-Lieutenants Order 1975", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1975/428, retrieved 27 November 2022
  37. ^ "Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1978 c. 39, retrieved 22 November 2022
  38. ^ "The Lord-Lieutenants (Scotland) Order 1996", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1996/731, retrieved 22 November 2022
  39. ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "English Street, County Buildings (LB26174)". Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  40. ^ "Dumfries, 113 English Street, Dumfries County Buildings". Canmore. Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 6 November 2022.
  42. ^ "The Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2007/183, retrieved 27 November 2022
  43. ^ "Council minutes". Dumfries and Galloway Council. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  44. ^ a b McLean, Marc (10 March 2023). "Dumfries and Galloway Council power takeover leads to even more political unrest". Daily Record. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  45. ^ "The Dumfries and Galloway (Electoral Arrangements) Order 1998", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1998/3180, retrieved 29 January 2023
  46. ^ Scottish Parliament. The Dumfries and Galloway (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2006 as made, from legislation.gov.uk.
  47. ^ "Dumfries and Galloway Council deadlock meeting planned". BBC News. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  48. ^ "SNP quits Dumfries and Galloway Council ruling coalition". BBC News. 2 June 2014.
  49. ^ Scottish Parliament. The Dumfries and Galloway (Electoral Arrangements) Order 2016 as made, from legislation.gov.uk.
  50. ^ McLean, Marc; Standard, Dumfries and Galloway (7 February 2023). "Council coalition hangs on to power". Daily Record. Retrieved 8 February 2023.

External links edit

  •   Media related to Dumfries and Galloway at Wikimedia Commons
  • Official website
  • Dumfries and Galloway at Curlie
  • Video footage and history of Kirkpatrick Irongray Church

dumfries, galloway, this, article, about, council, area, parliamentary, constituency, parliament, constituency, scots, dumfries, gallowa, scottish, gaelic, dùn, phrìs, gall, ghaidhealaibh, unitary, council, areas, scotland, located, western, part, southern, up. This article is about the council area For the parliamentary constituency see Dumfries and Galloway UK Parliament constituency Dumfries and Galloway Scots Dumfries an Gallowa Scottish Gaelic Dun Phris is Gall Ghaidhealaibh is one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland located in the western part of the Southern Uplands It is bordered by East Ayrshire South Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire to the north Scottish Borders to the north east the English ceremonial county of Cumbria the Solway Firth and the Irish Sea to the south and the North Channel to the west The administrative centre and largest settlement is the town of Dumfries The second largest town is Stranraer located 76 miles 122 km to the west of Dumfries on the North Channel coast Dumfries and GallowayDumfries an GallowaDun Phris is Gall GhaidhealaibhCoat of armsCouncil logoCoordinates 55 06 N 3 54 W 55 1 N 3 9 W 55 1 3 9Sovereign stateUnited KingdomCountryScotlandLieutenancy areasDumfriesStewartry of KirkcudbrightWigtownAdmin HQCounty Buildings English Street DumfriesGovernment LeaderGail MacGregor Cons Area Total2 481 sq mi 6 426 km2 RankRanked 3rdPopulation 2021 Total148 790 RankRanked 13th Density60 sq mi 23 km2 ONS codeS12000006ISO 3166 codeGB DGYTopographic map of Dumfries and GallowayDumfries and Galloway corresponds to the historic shires of Dumfriesshire Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire the last two of which are collectively known as Galloway The three counties were combined in 1975 to form a single region with four districts within it The districts were abolished in 1996 since when Dumfries and Galloway has been a unitary local authority For lieutenancy purposes the area is divided into three lieutenancy areas called Dumfries Wigtown and the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright broadly corresponding to the three historic counties Contents 1 Geography 1 1 Water systems and transport routes 1 2 National scenic areas 2 Transport 2 1 Railway 2 1 1 The Port line 2 2 Bus and coach 2 3 Sea 2 4 Air 2 5 Roads 3 Emergency services 4 Education 4 1 Alternative Schools 4 2 Nursery and primary schools 4 3 Secondary schools 5 Wildlife 6 Outdoor activities 7 Arts and culture 8 Settlements 9 Places of interest 10 Governance 10 1 Administrative history 10 2 Political control 10 3 Leadership 10 4 Elections 10 5 Wards 11 Gallery 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksGeography editThe Dumfries and Galloway Council region is composed of counties and their sub areas From east to west Dumfriesshire County the sub area of Dumfriesshire Annandale the sub area of Dumfriesshire Eskdale the sub area of Dumfriesshire Nithsdale Kirkcudbrightshire County the sub area of Kirkcudbrightshire Stewartry archaically Desnes Wigtownshire County the sub area of Wigtownshire Machars archaically Farines divided into census areas civil parish areas the sub area of Wigtownshire Rhins of Galloway divided into census areas civil parish areas The term Dumfries and Galloway has been used since at least the 19th century by 1911 the three counties had a united sheriffdom under that name Dumfries and Galloway covers the majority of the western area of the Southern Uplands 1 it also hosts Scotland s most Southerly point at the Mull of Galloway 2 in the west of the region Water systems and transport routes edit The region has a number of south running water systems which break through the Southern Uplands creating the main road and rail arteries north south through the region and breaking the hills up into a number of ranges River Cree valley carries the A714 north westward from Newton Stewart to Girvan and Water of Minnoch valley which lies just west of the Galloway Hills carries a minor road northward through Glentrool village into South Ayrshire This road leaves the A714 at Bargrennan Water of Ken and River Dee form a corridor through the hills called the Glenkens 3 which carries the A713 road from Castle Douglas to Ayr The Galloway Hills lie to the west of this route through the hills and the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills lie to the east River Nith rises between Dalmellington and New Cumnock in Ayrshire and runs east then south down Nithsdale to Dumfries Nithsdale carries both the A76 road and the rail line from Dumfries to Kilmarnock It separates the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills from the Lowther Hills which lie east of the Nith River Annan combines with Evan Water and the River Clyde to form one of the principal routes into central Scotland from England through Annandale and Clydesdale carrying the M74 and the west coast railway line This gap through the hills separates the Lowthers from the Moffat Hills River Esk enters the Solway Firth just south of Gretna having travelled south from Langholm and Eskdalemuir The A7 travels up Eskdale as far as Langholm and from Langholm carries on up the valley of Ewes Water to Teviothead where it starts to follow the River Teviot to Hawick Eskdale itself heads north west from Langholm through Bentpath and Eskdalemuir to Ettrick and Selkirk The A701 branches off the M74 at Beattock goes through the town of Moffat climbs to Annanhead above the Devil s Beef Tub at the source of the River Annan before passing the source of the River Tweed and carrying on to Edinburgh Until fairly recent times the ancient route to Edinburgh travelled right up Annandale to the Beef Tub before climbing steeply to Annanhead 4 The present road ascends northward on a ridge parallel to Annandale but to the west of it which makes for a much easier ascent From Moffat the A708 heads north east along the valley of Moffat Water Moffatdale on its way to Selkirk Moffatdale separates the Moffat hills to the north from the Ettrick hills to the south National scenic areas edit There are three National scenic areas within this region Nith Estuary 5 this area follows the River Nith southward from just south of Dumfries into the Solway Firth Dumfries itself has a rich history going back over 800 years as a Royal Burgh 1186 It is particularly remembered as the place where Robert the Bruce murdered the Red Comyn in 1306 before being crowned King of Scotland and where Robert Burns spent his last years His mausoleum is in St Michael s graveyard Going down the east bank is the village of Glencaple Caerlaverock Castle Caerlaverock Wild Fowl Trust an ancient Roman fort on Ward Law Hill 6 and nearby in Ruthwell is the Ruthwell Cross and the Brow Well 7 where Robert Burns took the waters and bathed in the Solway just before his death On the west bank there are several walks and cycle routes in Mabie Forest 8 Kirkconnell Flow 9 for the naturalist the National Museum of Costume 10 just outside New Abbey and Sweetheart Abbey within the village Criffel 569 metres offers the hill walker a reasonably modest walk with views across the Solway to the Lake District The house of John Paul Jones founder of the American Navy is also open to visitors near Kirkbean East Stewartry Coast 11 this takes in the coast line from Balcary Point 12 eastward across Auchencairn Bay and the Rough Firth past Sandyhills to Mersehead 13 There are several coastal villages within this area Auchencairn Kippford Colvend Rockcliffe and Portling There is also a round tower at Orchardton and the islands of Hestan Isle and Rough Island can be reached at low tide outside the breeding season for birds Mersehead is a wildfowl reserve The area has a number of coastal paths Fleet Valley 14 this area takes in Fleet Bay with its holiday destinations of Auchenlarie Mossyard Bay Cardoness Sandgreen and Carrick Shore The area also includes the town of Gatehouse of Fleet and the historic villages of Anworth and Girthon there is a castle at Cardoness in the care of Historic Scotland Transport editTransport in the region is operated by bus companies Houston s McEwan s Stagecoach Western and McCall s coaches and train operators ScotRail TransPennine Express and Avanti West Coast Railway edit nbsp A Virgin Pendolino leaving Lockerbie station for CarlisleThe region has seven working railway stations All are on the Glasgow South Western Line except Lockerbie which is on the West Coast Main Line Stranraer railway station Kirkconnel railway station Sanquhar railway station Dumfries railway station Annan railway station Gretna Green railway station Lockerbie railway stationThe Port line edit The mainline from Dumfries railway station via Newton Stewart to Stranraer Harbour railway station was closed under the Beeching cuts The line previously connected London Euston and the West Coast Main Line with the ferries to Larne Harbour railway station and the Port of Belfast The Port Road line to Stranraer was the last to go in June 1965 leaving only the original G amp SWR main line open to serve the Stranraer The Beeching cuts ended the Castle Douglas and Dumfries Railway and Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Railway has resulted in adverse mileage to connect Stranraer with a longer line via Kilmarnock and Ayr Bus and coach edit The area is served by buses which connect the main population centres Express bus services link the main towns with Glasgow Ayr Edinburgh and Carlisle Local bus services also operate across the region Sea edit nbsp Stena Line provided HSS sailings between Stranraer and BelfastDumfries and Galloway is home to two ports which have services to Northern Ireland both are in the West of the region Stena Line and P amp O Irish Sea both have a port in the village of Cairnryan Air edit The region also has no commercial airports the nearest are Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Carlisle Lake District Airport The region does host a number of private airfields The town of Lockerbie was the scene of the Pan Am Flight 103 terrorist attack on 21 December 1988 Roads edit The main roads to and from the region are M6 A74 M A75 A76 A77 A701 A709Emergency services editPolice Scotland is the police force for the region Its predecessor Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary dissolved 2014 was the smallest police force in the United Kingdom The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service formerly Dumfries and Galloway Fire and Rescue Service provides firefighting services across the region The Coastguard Lifeboats Moffat mountain rescue and Galloway Mountain Rescue also offer emergency services across Dumfries and Galloway Nith Inshore Rescue is based at Glencaple This independent lifeboat provides water rescue cover for the River Nith surrounding rivers and inland water Nith Inshore Rescue is a declared facility for HM Coastguard the control centre and overseeing authority responsible for call outs NHS Dumfries and Galloway provides healthcare services across the region The two main hospitals are the Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary in Dumfries and Galloway Community Hospital in Stranraer Education editDumfries amp Galloway Council provides nursery primary and secondary education across the region Alternative Schools edit Kilquhanity SchoolNursery and primary schools edit For a list of nursery schools and primary schools see List of state schools in Scotland Council Areas A D excluding cities Secondary schools edit nbsp The Minerva building of Dumfries AcademyAnnan Academy Castle Douglas High School Dalbeattie High School Douglas Ewart High School Newton Stewart Dalry Secondary School Dumfries Academy Kirkcudbright Academy Langholm Academy Lockerbie Academy Maxwelltown High School Dumfries Moffat Academy Sanquhar Academy St Joseph s College Stranraer Academy Wallace Hall ThornhillWildlife editThe region is known as a stronghold for several rare and protected species of amphibian such as the Natterjack toad and the Great crested newt 15 There are also RSPB Nature Reserves at the Mull of Galloway 16 Wood of Cree Galloway Forest Park 17 Ken Dee Marshes near Loch Ken 18 and Mereshead near Dalbeattie on the Solway Firth nbsp Welcome signOutdoor activities editThere are five 7Stanes 19 mountain biking centres in Dumfries and Galloway at Dalbeattie Mabie Ae Glentrool and Kirroughtree The Sustrans Route 7 20 long distance cycle route also runs through the region There is excellent hill walking in the Moffat Hills 21 Lowther Hills 22 the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills 23 and Galloway Hills 24 The Southern Upland Way 25 coast to coast walk passes through Dumfries and Galloway and the 53 mile long Annandale Way 26 travels from the Solway Firth into the Moffat hills near the Devil s Beef Tub There is also fresh water sailing on Castle Loch at Lochmaben 27 and at various places on Loch Ken 28 29 Loch Ken also offers waterskiing and wakeboarding 30 The Solway Firth coastline offers fishing caravaning and camping walking and sailing Arts and culture editDumfries and Galloway is well known for its arts and cultural activities as well as its natural environment citation needed The major festivals include the region wide Dumfries amp Galloway Arts Festival and Spring Fling Open Studios Other festivals include Big Burns Supper in Dumfries and the Wigtown Book Festival in Wigtown Scotland s national book town Settlements edit nbsp nbsp Dumfries nbsp Stranraer nbsp Annan nbsp Locharbriggs nbsp Lockerbie nbsp Dalbeattie nbsp Newton Stewart nbsp Castle Douglas nbsp Kirkcudbright nbsp GretnaScottish BordersCumb South AyrshireEast AyrshireSouth Lanark class notpageimage The largest settlements in Dumfries and Galloway Largest settlements by population Settlement Population mid 2020 est 31 Dumfries 33 470Stranraer 10 110Annan 8 760Locharbriggs 5 610Lockerbie 4 190Dalbeattie 4 160Newton Stewart 4 030Castle Douglas 4 000Kirkcudbright 3 350Gretna 3 110Main settlements in bold text Ae Airieland Airds of Kells Annan Anwoth Ardwell Beattock Beeswing Borgue Brydekirk Caerlaverock Cairngaan Cairnryan Cargenbridge Carsphairn Castle Douglas Castle Kennedy Clarencefield Corsock Creetown Dalbeattie Dalton Dornock Drumlanrig Drummore Dumfries Dundrennan Dunscore Eastriggs Ecclefechan Eskdalemuir Garlieston Gatehouse of Fleet Glenluce Gretna Green Gretna Haugh of Urr Hoddom Isle of Whithorn Johnsfield Johnstonebridge Keir Kelloholm Kippford Kirkbean Kirkcolm Kirkcowan Kirkcudbright Kirkconnel Kirkinner Kirkpatrick Durham Langholm Leswalt Locharbriggs Lochmaben Lockerbie Middleshaw Millhousebridge Mochrum Moffat Moniaive Muirhead Mull of Galloway New Abbey New Galloway New Luce Newton Stewart Newton Wamphray Palnackie Parkgate Parton Penpont Portpatrick Port William Ringford Robgill Tower Ruthwell Sandhead Sanquhar Sorbie St John s Town of Dalry Stoneykirk Stranraer Templand Terregles Thornhill Twynholm Unthank Wanlockhead Whithorn WigtownPlaces of interest editMain articles Scheduled monuments in Dumfries and Galloway and List of Category A listed buildings in Dumfries and Galloway Annandale distillery Scotch Whisky Bladnoch Distillery amp Visitor Centre Scotch Whisky Caerlaverock Castle Historic Scotland Caerlaverock NNR national nature reserve WWT Caerlaverock a reserve of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Cardoness Castle Castle of St John Stranraer Corsewall Lighthouse privately owned Drumlanrig Castle HM Factory Gretna Eastriggs site of a munitions factory 32 during World War I Galloway Forest Park Forestry and Land Scotland Galloway Hydro Electric Scheme Scottish Power Glenlair home of 19th century physicist James Clerk Maxwell Glenluce Abbey Hallhill Covenanter Martyrs Memorial near Kirkpatrick Irongray Church Isle of Whithorn Castle Kenmure Castle a seat of the Clan Gordon Loch Ken MacLellan s Castle Kirkcudbright Motte of Urr Mull of Galloway RSPB South Rhins Community Development Trust Ruthwell Cross Samye Ling Tibetan Monastery Southern Upland Way long distance footpath Sweetheart Abbey New Abbey Threave CastleGovernance editDumfries and Galloway nbsp LeadershipConvenerMalcolm Johnstone Conservative since 7 March 2023LeaderGail Macgregor Conservative since 7 March 2023Chief ExecutiveDawn Roberts since July 2022 33 StructureSeats43 councillorsConservative17 43SNP11 43Labour8 43Liberal Democrats1 43Independent other6 43ElectionsVoting systemSingle transferable voteLast election6 May 2022Next election2027Meeting place nbsp Council Offices 113 English Street Dumfries DG1 2DDWebsitewww wbr dumgal wbr gov wbr ukSee also Category Wards of Dumfries and Galloway Administrative history edit Prior to 1975 the area that is now Dumfries and Galloway was administered as three separate counties Dumfriesshire Kirkcudbrightshire and Wigtownshire The counties of Scotland originated as sheriffdoms which were established from the twelfth century consisting of a group of parishes over which a sheriff had jurisdiction 34 An elected county council was established for each county in 1890 under the Local Government Scotland Act 1889 The three county councils were abolished in 1975 under the Local Government Scotland Act 1973 which established a two tier structure of local government across Scotland comprising upper tier regions and lower tier districts A region called Dumfries and Galloway was created covering the area of the three counties which were abolished as administrative areas The region contained four districts 35 Annandale and Eskdale covering the eastern part of Dumfriesshire Nithsdale covering the western part of Dumfriesshire and a small part of Kirkcudbrightshire Stewartry covering most of Kirkcudbrightshire Wigtown covering all of Wigtownshire and a small part of Kirkcudbrightshire a Further local government reform in 1996 under the Local Government etc Scotland Act 1994 saw the area s four districts abolished with the Dumfries and Galloway Council taking over the functions they had previously performed 37 The council continues to use the areas of the four abolished districts as committee areas The four former districts are also used to define the area s three lieutenancy areas with Nithsdale and Annandale and Eskdale together forming the Dumfries lieutenancy the Stewartry district corresponding to the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright lieutenancy and the Wigtown district corresponding to the Wigtown lieutenancy 38 The council headquarters is at the Council Offices at 113 English Street in Dumfries which had been built in 1914 as the headquarters for the old Dumfriesshire County Council previously being called County Buildings 39 40 Political control edit The first election to the Dumfries and Galloway Regional Council was held in 1974 initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new system came into force on 16 May 1975 A shadow authority was again elected in 1995 ahead of the reforms which came into force on 1 April 1996 Political control of the council since 1975 has been as follows 41 Regional council Party in control YearsIndependent 1975 1994No overall control 1994 1996Unitary authority Party in control YearsNo overall control 1996 presentLeadership edit Since 2007 the council has been required to designate a leader of the council The leader may also act as the convener chairing council meetings or the council may choose to appoint a different councillor to be convener 42 Prior to 2007 the council sometimes chose to appoint a leader and sometimes did not The leaders since 2007 have been 43 Councillor Party From To NotesIvor Hyslop Conservative 15 May 2007 1 Oct 2013Ronnie Nicholson Labour 1 Oct 2013 23 May 2017Elaine Murray Labour 23 May 2017 5 May 2022Stephen Thompson SNP 24 May 2022 3 Feb 2023 Co leaders with Thompson being the civic head and convener and Dorward being the depute convener Linda Dorward LabourStephen Thompson SNP 3 Feb 2023 28 Feb 2023Gail Macgregor 44 Conservative 7 Mar 2023 Malcolm Johnstone CON as Depute Leader of the Council and ConvenorElections edit Since 2007 elections have been held every five years under the single transferable vote system of election This system was introduced by the Local Governance Scotland Act 2004 to achieve a reasonably proportionately representative outcome Election results since 1995 have been as follows 41 Year Seats Conservative SNP Labour Liberal Democrats Independent Notes1995 70 2 9 21 10 281999 47 8 5 13 6 15 New ward boundaries 45 2003 47 11 5 14 5 122007 47 18 10 14 3 2 New ward boundaries 46 Conservative and SNP coalition 2012 47 14 10 15 1 7 Conservative SNP coalition until October 2013 47 Labour SNP coalition until June 2014 48 Minority Labour administration 2014 2017 2017 43 16 11 11 1 4 New ward boundaries 49 Labour and SNP coalition 2022 43 16 11 9 1 6 SNP and Independent Group Coalition with Labour support until February 2023 50 Conservative minority administration from March 2023 44 Wards edit nbsp Map of the area s wards 2017 configuration The council area is divided into 12 wards that elect 43 councilors Ward Number Ward Name Location Seats1 Stranraer and the Rhins nbsp 42 Mid Galloway and Wigtown West nbsp 43 Dee and Glenkens nbsp 34 Castle Douglas and Crocketford nbsp 35 Abbey nbsp 36 North West Dumfries nbsp 47 Mid and Upper Nithsdale nbsp 38 Lochar nbsp 49 Nith nbsp 410 Annandale South nbsp 411 Annandale North nbsp 412 Annandale East and Eskdale nbsp 3Gallery edit nbsp Dalveen Pass from Comb Head summit near Thornhill Dumfries and Galloway Scotland nbsp Sweetheart Abbey Dumfries and Galloway Scotland nbsp Orchardton Tower Dumfries and Galloway Scotland nbsp Caerlaverock National Nature Reserve View across the Nith Estuary close to the Solway Firth Dumfries amp Galloway nbsp Tongland Power station nbsp Mull of Galloway headland nbsp Mull of Galloway Lighthouse nbsp A Machars beach nbsp Machars Coastline looking south from Cruggleton Castle nbsp The remains of Cruggleton Castle nbsp The Machars as viewed from Torrs Warren with Luce Bay standing between nbsp The Devil s Beef Tub nbsp Port William harbour nbsp Moffat nbsp River Nith Estuary See also editAnglo Scottish border Fire and Rescue Authority Scotland List of places in Dumfries and GallowayReferences edit The district of Wigtown was named in the 1973 Act as Merrick but the name was changed to Wigtown prior to the new system coming into force in 1975 36 Visit Southern Scotland Home Mull of Galloway Home www theglenkens org uk Society of Antiquaries of Scotland Proceedings of the Society Feb 11th 1924 ANCIENT BORDER HIGHWAYS by Harry R G Inglis PDF Archived from the original PDF on 12 June 2007 Nith Estuary National Scenic Area www walkscotland plus com Roman Britain Organisation Roman Britain Archived from the original on 6 December 2009 Dumfries Museum The Brow Well Archived from the original on 4 February 2011 Retrieved 23 December 2009 Forestry Commission web page on Mabie Forest and its facilities Scotland s Natural Nature Reserves page on the Kirkconnell Flow Archived from the original on 10 March 2010 Retrieved 23 December 2009 National Museum of Costume web site Archived from the original on 6 January 2010 Retrieved 23 December 2009 East Stewartry National Scenic Area Map and Introduction to Coastal Walks in the Area www walkscotland plus com Auchencairn Initiative walk from Balcary to Rascarrel Archived from the original on 17 December 2009 Retrieved 23 December 2009 Mersehead Nature Reserve Dumfries amp Galloway Scotland The RSPB Fleet Valley National Scenic Area www walkscotland plus com Rallying cry from frog stronghold BBC News 6 May 2008 Mull Of Galloway Nature Reserve Scotland The RSPB Wood Of Cree Nature Reserve Dumfries amp Galloway The RSPB Ken Dee Marshes Nature Reserve Dumfries amp Galloway The RSPB 7stanes mountain biking Forestry and Land Scotland forestryandland gov scot Route 7 on Sustrans website Archived from the original on 10 March 2013 Moffat Hills Introduction showing Hill Walk Routes and Local Information www walkscotland plus com Hillwalking in the Durisdeer and Lowther Hills Introduction www walkscotland plus com Hill Walking in the Scaur or Carsphairn Hills Introduction Scotland www walkscotland plus com Hill Walking Routes in Galloway Introduction www walkscotland plus com Website for the Southern Upland Way Archived from the original on 29 April 2012 Retrieved 23 February 2012 Annandale Way Welcome annandaleway org Annandale Sailing Club Home Annandale Sailing Club Loch Ken Marina Water Sports amp Water Skiing in Dumfries and Galloway www lochken com skilochken co uk Domain Name For Sale DAN COM Airds Farm Guest House Bed and Breakfast Accommodation Dumfries and Galloway www airds com Archived from the original on 10 March 2013 Mid 2020 Population Estimates for Settlements and Localities in Scotland National Records of Scotland 31 March 2022 Retrieved 31 March 2022 Home Devils Porridge Museum Dumfries and Galloway Council appoints new Chief Executive Dumfries and Galloway Council 6 April 2022 Retrieved 10 March 2023 Type details for Scottish County Vision of Britain Retrieved 16 August 2021 Local Government Scotland Act 1973 legislation gov uk The National Archives 1973 c 65 retrieved 22 November 2022 The Lord Lieutenants Order 1975 legislation gov uk The National Archives SI 1975 428 retrieved 27 November 2022 Local Government etc Scotland Act 1994 legislation gov uk The National Archives 1978 c 39 retrieved 22 November 2022 The Lord Lieutenants Scotland Order 1996 legislation gov uk The National Archives SI 1996 731 retrieved 22 November 2022 Historic Environment Scotland English Street County Buildings LB26174 Retrieved 10 March 2023 Dumfries 113 English Street Dumfries County Buildings Canmore Historic Environment Scotland Retrieved 10 March 2023 a b Compositions calculator The Elections Centre Retrieved 6 November 2022 The Local Governance Scotland Act 2004 Remuneration Regulations 2007 legislation gov uk The National Archives SI 2007 183 retrieved 27 November 2022 Council minutes Dumfries and Galloway Council Retrieved 27 November 2022 a b McLean Marc 10 March 2023 Dumfries and Galloway Council power takeover leads to even more political unrest Daily Record Retrieved 10 March 2023 The Dumfries and Galloway Electoral Arrangements Order 1998 legislation gov uk The National Archives SI 1998 3180 retrieved 29 January 2023 Scottish Parliament The Dumfries and Galloway Electoral Arrangements Order 2006 as made from legislation gov uk Dumfries and Galloway Council deadlock meeting planned BBC News 28 September 2013 Retrieved 28 September 2013 SNP quits Dumfries and Galloway Council ruling coalition BBC News 2 June 2014 Scottish Parliament The Dumfries and Galloway Electoral Arrangements Order 2016 as made from legislation gov uk McLean Marc Standard Dumfries and Galloway 7 February 2023 Council coalition hangs on to power Daily Record Retrieved 8 February 2023 External links edit nbsp Media related to Dumfries and Galloway at Wikimedia Commons Official website Dumfries and Galloway at Curlie Video footage and history of Kirkpatrick Irongray Church Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Dumfries and Galloway amp oldid 1190253547, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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