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Rae Street, DUMFRIES, DG1 1HX

Carved figures over the window personify knowledge and music.

This mark can be found on a wall in Irving Street. For more detail see : http://www.bench-marks.org.uk/bm45920

The building is in the Edwardian Renaissance style, with elaborate decoration. For more information on Scotland's Carnegie Libraries, see : http://www.scotcities.com/carnegie/intro.htm

Money to build the library was donated by Scottish-American steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It is one of nearly 3,000 to which he contributed worldwide, the first one being in his home town of Dunfermline Image The library was named after William Ewart, MP for Dumfries 1841-68. He introduced a bill which led to the Public Libraries Acts of 1850 (England) and 1853 (Scotland). This allowed free libraries to be funded from local taxes, although Dumfries did not get one until the Ewart opened in 1904. http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/Dumgal/MiniWeb.aspx?id=33

Built in 1890 (date stone over door) for the local Volunteer Militia. There is a splendid pair of carved lions at the entrance, and an ornate metal crown on the roof (for more information see RCAHMS http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/208127/details/dumfries+newall+terrace+loreburn+hall+including+ornamental+lions/ and Historic Scotland http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/pls/htmldb/f?p=2200:15:0::::BUILDING,HL:26287,26287 ). Attached to the rear of the building is a large hall - originally the drill hall - which became a popular venue for concerts, shows, sports and dancing. The Loreburn Hall was mothballed when a new leisure centre opened in 2008 Image , but a catalogue of defects developed at the latter. With DG One needing an extended closure for repairs in 2014, the Loreburn Hall was reprieved. Dumfries & Galloway Council have renovated it to provide a temporary fitness suite http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-29050238 , and subsequently the management of the hall will be taken over by a charitable trust (see the Loreburn Hall Trust's Facebook page, which has lots of photos https://www.facebook.com/pages/Loreburn-Hall/559276494154327 ). Offices at the front have continued in use.

The central panel shows a winged figure of St. Michael, patron saint of Dumfries, above the town motto "A' Loreburn". This was an ancient rallying cry, for defenders of the town to gather by the Loreburn stream if an attack was expected. Ironically, the Ewart Library was built over the source of this stream, and has suffered considerable problems with damp because of it. http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/dumgal/MiniWeb.aspx?id=33&menuid=164&openid=164

This small park at the junction of Catherine Street and Academy Street is carpeted with crocus blossom. On the left are backs of houses in Lovers' Walk.

St John the Evangelist Scottish Episcopal Church (1868), Lovers’ Walk in Dumfries. In front is the Dumfries bronze and white war memorial.

One of four secondary schools in Dumfries. The impressive buildings, on a raised site above Academy Street, are Category B listed. http://hsewsf.sedsh.gov.uk/hslive/hsstart?P_HBNUM=26077