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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Dumfries
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(32,000 in 1991) Town in southwest Scotland, sometimes known as 'Queen of the South'; administrative centre of the Dumfries and Galloway region. Frequently damaged in border warfare with the English, its most distinguished building is Midsteeple (1707), which originally was the town hall. The Footbridge, the oldest of the five bridges over the river Nith, dates from the 15C but has been considerably rebuilt. The town's traditional industries are hosiery and knitwear. Robert Burns lived here for the last five years of his life, and his house is kept as a memorial. The Dumfries Museum (on local subjects) is housed in an 18C windmill with a camera obscura on its roof. The Gracefield Arts Centre has a collection of 20C British paintings, and Shambellie House is a museum of costume.
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