Bruce raises his standard at Castledykes, Dumfries, 1306

[William Douglas]

Here at Castledykes, with the rivers Nith and Criffle visible, can be seen Robert Bruce raising his standard at the Castle of Dumfries, freshly seized from its English garrison. Sir Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn with sword in hand, and Sir John Lindsay acclaim their leader.

Earlier on the same day, February the 10th 13O6, and at the other end of Dumfries within the Greyfriars' Monastery, Bruce had imperiously stabbed Sir John Comyn of Dalswinton, his rival claimant of the Scottish throne during a dispute while they conferred together.

Rushing out, Bruce, according to one account gasped in horror to his waiting friends Kirkpatrick and Lindsay: "I doubt I have slain the Red Comyn!" "You doubt? Teh I'll mak siccar!" retorted Kirkpatrick. Thereupon he and Lindsay rushed into the sanctuary and despatched the dying man where he lay in a pool of blood near the high altar.

In the annals of Dumfries, a day etched in history stands out—the day Robert Bruce, Earl of Carrick and Annandale, embraced the destiny thrust upon him, mirroring the gallant spirit of the martyred Wallace. Bruce's journey had been one of perilous choices—from a covert escape from the clutches of London's shadows to the refuge of Lochmaben Castle. He waged war against Edward I's forces, silenced a treacherous rival, and invoked the wrath of Comyn's allies, not to mention the formidable ire of the Pope. This day marked Bruce's inaugural strike for Scottish freedom and the coveted crown, binding Scotland's fate inexorably to his own.

Months later, the Royal Palace of Scone witnessed the culmination of Bruce's quest—he was crowned King of Scotland. Yet, the journey ahead held battles, and it wasn't until the resounding victory at Bannockburn that the crown securely graced his brow.

Dumfries Castle, with its motte and bailey, had a storied past, dating back to 1185 during William the Lion's reign. Wallace seized it in 1297, and during Edward I's occupation in 1300, significant fortifications were added, enhancing its formidable defensive features. Edward's focus then shifted to the south, fixating on the siege of Caerlaverock Castle.

Bruce, mindful of the town's needs, bestowed the common land at Kingholm to Dumfries. Around 1313, he dismantled Dumfries Castle, recorded as 'waste' in 1335. To fulfill the town's defensive requirements, the New Wark, akin to Closeburn Castle, emerged in what is now Queensbury Square.

For three centuries, Castledykes was the source of Dumfries' building sandstone. Today, it stands transformed into a nationally acclaimed public park, a testament to the passage of time. A monument and plaque at the original Royal Castle site serve as silent witnesses to history. Each Guid Nychburris Day, during the Riding of the Marches ceremony, the burgh's cornet unfolds the Scottish Royal Standard at Castledykes—a symbolic reminder of Bruce's monumental act in 1306.