Historical Ties Between Dumfries and Norway
The Norwegian royal family has made several visits to southern Scotland to express gratitude for the region's assistance during World War Two. For the Scottish town of Dumfries, support for Norway transcends the usual rivalry of "Anyone but England" as the Three Lions face Norway in their World Cup quarter-final.
Dumfries’ connection with Norway dates back to World War Two when it hosted the exiled Norwegian army. The town has regularly flown the red and blue Norwegian flag, and numerous local families trace their ancestry to Scandinavia.
Most recently, the Scottish Norwegian Connection (SNC) group installed a "stone of friendship" in Dumfries as a lasting symbol of this historic link.
Enduring Friendship and Community Bonds
Beverley Thom, organiser of the recent commemorations, highlighted the ongoing strength of the relationship formed over 80 years ago.
"The SNC has proved the friendship to be very strong between Dumfries and Norway, following thousands of Norwegians who were posted to Dumfries during 1940 to 1945,"
"The connections continue, as has been proved with the 2023 celebrations with the gifting of the Norwegian Stone of Friendship to the burgh of Dumfries.
"The Scottish Norwegian Society, established in 1941 in Dumfries, continues to thrive with its base now in Glasgow as well as the Norwegian Scottish Association based in Edinburgh."
Visible support for Norway has been evident in Dumfries during the World Cup, with the Norwegian flag occasionally flying above the Midsteeple.
Sporting Connections and Local Support
Thom noted that the ties extend into sports, particularly football.
"Norwegians are as daft about football as the Scots and I was amazed to discover the number of Doonhamers who are related to or have friends who are Norwegians,"
"So it would not surprise me to know that many Scots will support Norway on Saturday."
Norwegian Military Presence in Dumfries During WWII
Norway was among the first countries to be overwhelmed by Germany during World War Two, prompting many soldiers and civilians to flee in hopes of regrouping. Approximately 300 Norwegian soldiers arrived in the Lanarkshire town of Hamilton in June 1940 before being directed to Dumfries.
In Dumfries, they underwent military training, and the Norwegian army command later relocated there. By 1941, their numbers exceeded 1,000, prompting construction of a barracks at Carronbridge, north of the town.
Founding of the Scottish Norwegian Society and Norway House
Also in 1941, the Scottish Norwegian Society (SNS) was founded in Dumfries, and a permanent base named Norway House (Norges Hus) was established.
James Hutcheon, the town clerk at the time, recalled that many Norwegian soldiers felt Dumfries resembled their hometowns and countryside back in Norway.
Although soldiers were later deployed across Scotland, including locations such as Tain and Callander, their connection to Dumfries remained strong, culminating in a special farewell party at the war’s end.
Post-War Connections and Cultural Legacy
The relationship between Dumfries and Norway has endured, particularly through Scottish-Norwegian marriages, estimated to number around 200.
In 2022, an exhibition titled "Alt for Norge" ("All for Norway") opened, celebrating the period when Dumfries was considered the "unofficial capital city of Norway." The exhibition featured a telegram from King Haakon VII thanking the town’s residents for their support in liberating Norway.
Broader Scottish-Norwegian Links
Dumfries is not the only Scottish location with historical ties to Norway. The "Shetland Bus," a convoy of fishing boats, played a crucial role in supporting the Norwegian resistance during Nazi occupation.
Additionally, Orkney once considered changing its status to become a self-governing territory of Norway, although this proposal was ultimately abandoned.
As Norway faces England in the World Cup quarter-finals, supporters in Scotland can cite these longstanding historical connections as reasons to back Erling Haaland over Harry Kane.
