The former capital of the old county of Dumfriesshire and a royal burgh, Dumfries is situated on the River Nith 35 miles (56 km) north-west of Carlisle and 90 (144.8 km) miles south-west of Edinburgh. Dumfries probably began as a Roman-era settlement but is first mentioned in the 12th century when it also became a royal burgh. Its castle, since gone, was located at Castledykes Park while in 1265 the Convent of Greyfriars was established by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway. In 1306 John Comyn of Dalswinton (the 'Red Comyn') was murdered at the Church of the Greyfriars by Robert the Bruce. The town is strongly associated with the poet Robert Burns who lived here from 1791 until his death in 1796, writing over 100 poems and working for the Excise Office during this period.

Dumfries grew in the 18th century through its role as a port for the tobacco trade and later as a livestock market, using its wealth to create stunning red sandstone buildings. Its recent industries have included woollens, cars and rubber goods, while today tourism and retail shopping are vital to its economy. In 1928 it incorporated the burgh of Maxwelltown on the west side of the River Nith.

Notable attractions include the Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura, the Old Bridge House Museum, the Robert Burns Centre, the Old Town Mill and Burns' House. Among the many places associated with Burns are several pubs, including The King's Arms and the Globe Inn.

Dumfries and Galloway College of Technology is located at Heathhall to the north, and to the south is the Crichton campus of the University of Glasgow.

Nearby are two attractive gardens, the Charter House Nurseries (at Newbridge, south of Dumfries), and The Crichton (1 mile / 1.5 km south); also nearby is the Dumfries and Galloway Aviation Museum and the Gracefield Arts Centre.