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Historic Sites.
Douglas may be a small village, but it’s a place which has been a hugely significant part of Scotland’s history.
Douglas Heritage Museum
The breadth and width of the history of the area is such that it’s impossible to capture in a single place in a way which is as comprehensive as it is engaging. Over the years our colleagues at Douglas Heritage Society have endeavoured to curate exactly that, with a combination of fixed and rotational exhibits pulling together to create a space which of interest to both locals and visitors alike.
The Museum is located within St. Sophia’s Chapel, more recently an Episcopal Chapel and formerly the Dower House of Douglas Castle. Some fine examples of stained glass and a Triptych from the Chapel of Douglas Castle can be found within.
James Gavin Memorial.
This famous Covenanter was a Presbyterian leader and tailor to trade. Liable to be apprehended at any time by Claverhouse’s men, when he received warning of soldiers in the neighbourhood, he would take refuge in a cave in the ravine about a mile west of the village. Raids on the dwellings of Covenanters were not uncommon and one night Gavin had taken his dog to the cave for companionship. Next morning, Gavin’s dog heard the soldier’s horses passing by the cave and began barking. A search took place and Gavin was captured. His life was spared, instead orders being given that his ears be cut off by his own shears.
Earl of Angus.
On 14th May 1689, the Earl of Angus Regiment was raised by James Douglas, Earl of Angus, to assist the fight for religious freedom in Scotland. Later that year the 1200 strong volunteer regiment, although heavily outnumbered, defeated the Jacobite Army at the Battle of Dunkeld. The regiment became known as The Cameronians in memory of Richard Cameron, a famous and staunch Covenanter.
The statue of the Earl, by Thomas Brock, was unveiled to commemorate the regiment’s bicentenary and depicts the Earl pointing to the site of the field where enrolment of the regiment originally took place. The Earl himself was killed at Steinkirk, Holland in August 1692 whilst battling the forces of Louis 14th of France, at the age of only 21. The regiment was disbanded in Douglas in 1968 and a commemorative memorial is situated in the Castle policies.
St. Sophia’s Chapel & Douglas Heritage Museum.
Originally the site of the Dowager House of Douglas Castle, in 1706 this building was constructed to form the Parish School and known as ‘The House of Learning’. It later became a dwelling house and, following restoration in 1961, was dedicated as an Episcopal Church to replace the Chapel formerly located at Douglas Castle.
Inside can be found six stained glass panels designed by Christopher Whall depicting the Coats of Arms of various Douglas Earls. It ceased to be a place of worship from 1993 and in August of that same year Douglas Heritage Society became stewards of the property and continue to operate it on a seasonal basis as a local heritage museum.
St. Bride’s Church.
Of greatest historic interest locally must surely be the Church of St. Bride. It existed in the 1150’s during the reign of King David and was still in use during the late 13th century. Rebuilt around 1390 by Archibald Douglas (Archibald the Grim), son of The Good Sir James Douglas, it is only the chancel, the ruins of the Inglis Aisle and the clock tower that now remain.
It was dedicated to St. Bride who was the Patron Saint of the Douglas family and the chancel houses the tombs of some of the medieval Black Earls of Douglas as well as two lead caskets which carry the hearts of The Good Sir James and Archibald ‘Bell the Cat’, 5th Earl of Angus. It boasts some fine 13th Century stained glass and the bell tower contains a working clock reputed to have been gifted by Mary Queen of Scots, dated 1565. The Church was gifted to The Ministry of Works by Douglas & Angus Estates in the mid 1940’s.
The Cross Keys.
Located on Main Street and dating to 1690, this watering hole is originally thought to have been a gate house for a small estate. Its key feature is a carved panel over the fireplace depicting the date 1690 with initials CC and NV, together with the Cranstoun coat of arms. It is believed that a lady of the titled Cranstoun family, Catherine, married a gentleman much below her station, which in these times was severely frowned upon. Having lived in France for several years, she stunned society by eloping to Scotland with her coachman. She was disinherited and the couple later settled in Douglas where they lived a quiet life within their means.
The Sun Inn.
Looking onto St. Bride’s from Main Street and bearing the date 1621 this was originally the Old Baron’s Courthouse and Tolbooth. It is the oldest building in the village. The Courtroom itself had a stone floor, referred to as The Stane Room, with the vaulted prison found underneath. Richard Cameron, the famous Covenanting Preacher, was killed at Airdsmoss in 1680. His commander, William Hackston, and others were taken prisoner and, on their way to Edinburgh to collect their reward, the Royalist Troopers spent a night in the Tolbooth, laying the head and hands of Cameron in The Stane Room whilst Hackston and his fellow prisoners were incarcerated in the prison cell below. It was this cell that eventually became the bar of The Sun Inn, now a dwelling house.
Polish Memorial Garden.
After Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, many Polish soldiers who had escaped from their homeland eventually made their way to Britain. Many of them were welcomed to Douglas where they settled into village life, making long-lasting friendships. Using some of their many talents, the soldiers constructed three monuments as reminders of their time here. The monuments were situated in different parts of the valley until 2002 when they were restored and brought together, surrounded by a memorial garden.
