The Crichton Campus

Located on the outskirts of Dumfries, South West Scotland, the diversity and innovative nature of the Campus makes it unique a centre of learning.

Dumfries and Galloway College, University of Glasgow, University of West of Scotland, Open University, Crichton Carbon Centre and Scotland’s Rural College all have a presence on the Crichton Campus and offer a wide range of learning opportunities. The Crichton Foundation has its office in Grierson House.

The attractive sandstone buildings and outstanding grounds are part of a proud heritage and represent a public asset to be enjoyed by the whole community. The universities, colleges and other private and public sector occupants of the site make a vital contribution to the economy of Dumfries town and the region.

History

The university campus in Dumfries originates from the inheritance left to Elizabeth Crichton by her husband. Born Elizabeth Grierson in 1779 she married Dr James Crichton in 1810. After his death in 1823 the balance of his fortune (well in excess of £4 million in terms of today’s buying power) was earmarked for charitable purposes suggested by his wife. It was not until 1829 that she revealed her intention for the inheritance and the idea of establishing a university in Dumfries was proposed.

This was after she had sought the advice of trusted friends, Reverend Henry Duncan and his brother Thomas, to find a proper use for the legacy. The Duncan brothers had been involved in a campaign to relocate St Andrews University to Dumfries as early as 1814. It is not known the extent to which this influenced Elizabeth Crichton’s decision.

Despite initial support for the proposal of Crichton University and the stringent efforts of Henry Duncan to make it reality, the idea did not come to fruition. Ultimately the “Asylum for Pauper Lunatics” was opened in 1839. The full account of this sequence of events can be found in Crichton University: A Widow’s Might (2001) Alexandrina Anderson, copies are available from the Crichton Foundation Office.

The idea of a university in Dumfries resurfaced in the mid-nineteen nineties. A group of enthusiasts, led by Dr Joyce Minton, Dr Neil Paterson and Maxwell Wallace, formed the Crichton University of Southern Scotland Action Group (CUSSAG) in 1995. CUSSAG members campaigned tirelessly for the founding of a university in south west Scotland. Their efforts paid off with the first cohort of students taking up their pioneering places in 1999.