The back of Irish Gait with its walled garden

 A unique house in the centre of Dumfries

Irish Gait at 29 Irish Street is the only surviving merchant's house in Dumfries.   The house was built by William Carruthers, a wealthy vintner, some time between  1690 and 1700.   The house boasts some of the earliest sash and case windows in Scotland: the first floor rooms still retain the original panelling from the 17th century.  The brick house - the oldest surviving brick building in the town - is built over the vintner's cellar which predates the present structure.  This house has stood through three revolutions.  The house has been host to many famous people: James Boswell, Andrew Crosbie, Thomas Carlyle,  Robert Burns,  and James Clark Maxwell have all dined here, and Bonnie Prince Charlie visited the Carruthers family who  were staunch Jacobites.

Irish Gait is located in the middle of the beautiful town of Dumfries, overlooking the River Nith, and is within easy walking distance of all the important historical sites in the town.  Dumfries is also the centre of a large and thriving artistic community: there are more artists living in the region than any other part of Scotland, and the links below will give you more information about our many festivals, events, galas, and much more.

Links to more information about Dumfries:

General information about the region and events:  Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Information     Dumfries & Galloway On Line   VisitScotland.com    D&GWhat'sGoingOn     Midsteeple Box Office 

Historical information about Dumfries:  Robert Burns     History of Dumfries    Robert the Bruce    Greyfriars Church    Theatre Royal    Mostly Ghostly Tours

Cultural Events and venues:  Spring Fling    Dumfries & Galloway International Musicians     The Stove   Easterbrook Live   Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival   The Eden Festival   The Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre   Wigtown Book Festival   Electric Fields