Dumfries Museum and Camera Obscura is the largest museum in the region. The museum has extensive collections relating to local and history from the pre-historic era. The museum also has the world's oldest working Camera Obscura. Admission is free, however a small fee applies for the Camera Obscura.

The museum's collections cover all material relating to the natural history and human pre-history of the region, from geology to dress, folk material, archaeology and early photographs. Notable artefacts include for example a cast of the skull of Robert the Bruce, Bronze Age cist burial including the remains of a 35-year-old man from the beaker people and a large collection of Roman and Celtic stone crosses and funerary monuments.

Originally built as a four-storey windmill on Corbelly hill, the highest point in Maxwelltown, in 1798, the site was purchased by Dumfries and Maxwellton Astronomical Society in 1834. Over a two-year period the tower was converted into an Observatory, and with advice from polar explorer Sir John Ross, a telescope was purchased from a Mr Morton of Kilmarnock. With its completion in 1836, unfortunately the observatory missed the arrival of Halley's comet; however, it was used in this role until 1872.

Camera Obscura

The camera obscura is currently the oldest working example in the world, and has been in continuous operation since 1836. The instrument, based in the top level of the windmill tower, offers a complete 360° panorama of the surrounding landscape. The image is projected onto a focusing table below, and operated using a simple rope mechanism. In order to protect the instrument it is only operated during the summer months and on days when weather conditions are clear.

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Founded: 1862
Category: Museums in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Jim Bennett (8 months ago)
Great museum, child friendly activities (plentiful opportunities to get their hands on things and a treasure hunt) plus excellent natural history and local interest exhibits. The camera obscura is a must see.
Martin Goodman (8 months ago)
Incredible little museum showcasing the history and archaeology of Dumfries and the surrounding area. The highlight was most definitely the Roman altar reconstruction showing how vividly it was painted when it was first created. Other highlights include the large telescope and the Medieval stone carvings in the basement of the tower. The most interesting aspect is the connection with the Apollo moon landings in the 1960s. We didn't visit the camera obscura as there was an additional charge. The museum is free to enter although donations are most certainly welcome. The staff were also really friendly and welcoming.
Christopher Lewis (9 months ago)
A really extensive museum with plenty of interesting and well kept artefacts to look at. There a a large range of interactive exhibits for children which is a great touch. Entry is free and we gave a donation as the museum was so interesting. Well worth a visit, if you’re in Dumfries.
Michael Griffin (9 months ago)
A little gem on a wet Sunday afternoon, very interesting so much about local area. On three floors with lift for easy access,unfortunately the camera obscure could not be used because of the weather, also free entry
Ollie Fitton-Cook (12 months ago)
A nice, if slightly old-fashioned, little museum which amply demonstrates that interesting stories are hidden in every corner of the world. The camera obscura was great and staff waited for my whole party to arrive before we were taken up to it. There was an interesting temporary exhibition on local protests and workers' movements. A gem. Free to enter but you need to pay a little for the camera obscura talk.
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