Editing Castle Douglas (section)

==History==
[[File:Castle Douglas Public Library, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland.jpg|alt=|right|thumb|Castle Douglas, The Library, built 1904.]]
Castle Douglas is built next to [[Carlingwark Loch]] in which traces of prehistoric [[crannogs]] can be found, evidence of early inhabitation of the area. A large bronze cauldron containing about 100 metal objects was found in Carlingwark Loch near Fir Island about 1866. The hoard of tools of iron and bronze is probably Romano-Belgic of the late first or early second centuries AD and is likely to have been a [[votive offering]]. It is now in the [[National Museums of Scotland]] in Edinburgh. <!-- Deleted by Bunnahabhain ~ Link to commercial website and erroneous information,  --> To the north of the town Glenlochar is the site of two successive [[Ancient Rome|Roman]] forts: the first was built during the invasion of [[Gnaeus Julius Agricola|Agricola]], and the second during the [[Antonine]] period. They appear to have been for cavalry units, and evidence has been found that a "[[vicus]]" grew up around them. They were abandoned completely by around 160 AD.<ref>Somerset Fry, Roman Britain, P 508</ref>

Nearby [[Threave Castle]] (built in the 14th century) 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 [[Old military roads of Scotland|military road]] through Galloway built by [[William Caulfeild (British Army officer)|Major William Caulfeild]] passed through the Carlingwark area and improved transportation connections in the 18th century.

Traditionally [[Mary, Queen of Scots|Mary Queen of Scots]] is said to have lodged at the House of Fuffnock on the Crossmichael Road on her journey to Port Mary in 1568 after the [[Battle of Langside]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=British Listed Buildings |url=https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/200358704-abercromby-road-kilmichael-outbuilding-formerly-old-house-of-fuffnock-castle-douglas-and-crocketford-ward |access-date=2018-10-20 |website=britishlistedbuildings.co.uk}}</ref>

Castle Douglas was founded in 1792 by  [[William Douglas, Castle Douglas|William Douglas]], who claimed, but had no close connection with, the ancient Douglases of Threave Castle. He had 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, Edinburgh|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.
[[File:Museum_of_ScotlandDSCF6355.jpg|thumb|The Torrs Pony Cap]]
The [[Torrs Pony-cap and Horns]] is an Iron Age bronze horned cap for a pony found in Torrs Loch at Castle Douglas in 1812. It was acquired by [[Joseph Train]], FSA Scot., the local antiquarian and author who presented it to [[Sir Walter Scott]] for his collection of antiquities at [[Abbotsford House]]. It is now in the [[National Museums of Scotland]] in Edinburgh.

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 road|A75]] trunk road was developed roughly following the lines of the original military road and passes 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.
[[File:Town Hall, Castle Douglas - geograph.org.uk - 1539030.jpg|thumb|[[Castle Douglas Town Hall]]]]
[[Castle Douglas Town Hall]] was built in 1863 to the designs of Dumfries architect [[James Barbour (architect)|James Barbour]].<ref>{{Scottish Architects name|200331|James Barbour}}</ref>
St John the Evangelist Catholic Church was built in 1867 by the London architect [[George Goldie (architect)|George Goldie]]. It is a Category B(S) listed building.
===20th century===
The Clock Tower was built 1934–35 and stands at the corner of King St and St Andrews St. It is a Category C listed building. It was designed by the architect William Forrest Valentine (1885–1957).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Environment Scotland |url=https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB50164}}</ref> The first tower, built by Sir William Douglas, was destroyed by fire in 1892, as was a second clock tower forty years later. A plaque records that in 1935 Henry J. Hewat of Paterson, New Jersey, USA, donated the present clock tower to the town. Capt Hewat was a native of Castle Douglas who had emigrated to the US in 1893.

[[Freeman Wills Crofts]] set a key scene in his 1930 novel "''Sir John Magill's Last Journey"''  at Castle Douglas railway station.

The former parish church (St Andrew's) was remodelled by [[Robert Lorimer]] in 1900. It was converted into a theatre, now known as [[The Fullarton]].<ref name="DSA">{{Scottish Architects name|id=200052|name=(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer}}</ref>

The Castle Douglas War Memorial was designed by Captain [[Frank Mears]] and was unveiled in 1921.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ptopic9354.html| title = The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project :: View topic - Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson}}</ref>

Castle Douglas was a reception area for [[Glasgow]]'s evacuated children during World War II.

From March 1943 to April 1944, the town was the base for [[92nd (Loyals) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery]], which was training for [[Operation Overlord]], the invasion of occupied Europe. Their headquarters were at ''Craigroyston'', a large Victorian house near the railway station. Nissen huts were set up at Carlingwark Loch to house the troops, while other billets included a church and a bowling clubhouse.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project :: View topic - Charles d'Orville Pilkington Jackson|url=http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmemscot-ptopic9354.html|access-date=2021-07-30|website=warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com}}</ref>