DUNBAR, a royal and parliamentary burgh, and seaport of Scotland, county of Haddington, situated on an eminence, near the mouth of the Firth of Forth. It consists of one wide main street, with several other streets and lanes which diverge from it. Dunbar is a place of great
antiquity. It originated in a castle, once of great strength and importance as a bulwark against English invasion. The site of the fortress was well chosen both for defence and convenience. The coast is here bold, and studded with rocky islets. The rocks on the shore in early times afforded room for the battlemented walls of a fort, which gradually increased by connection with the adjoining land, and with the islets by walls of great strength. It was thus admirably adapted to receive succour by sea, or to favour the escape of its defenders. We find it mentioned as early as 856; and subsequently it stands conspicuously prominent in the various conflicts in which Scotland was engaged. It endured several memorable sieges, the most remarkable of which was that by the English in 1337, when it was defended by Black Agnes countess of March and a member of the Douglas family. Montague the English commander had constructed a machine called a sow (resembling the Roman pluteus), with which he began to undermine the walls. The countess, discharging a great stone from the rampart, destroyed this machine, calling out at the same time,
"Marry, Montagow,
For farrow shall thy sow."
The castle is now a total ruin. The harbour and quay of Dunbar are on a confined plan, and the usual depth of water is scarcely sufficient to float vessels of 300 tons burden. The main evil of the port arises from the existence of various craggy islets and sunken rocks near the entrance, which render the navigation somewhat dangerous. Market-day Tuesday. Dunbar is chiefly famous for its herring fishery, which is extensively carried on. There are in the town a soap-work, and several iron foundries, breweries, and distilleries. Ship-building is also carried on to a small extent. The most remarkable house in Dunbar, a large plain mansion, facing the west end of the main street, is the property, and was formerly the residence of the family of Lauderdale; but it is now in a neglected condition. At the entrance to the town from the west there are remains of an ancient monastery of Greyfriars, founded in 1218. In 1819 a handsome new Gothic church was erected upon the site of a previous one, founded in the fourteenth century. There are also two United Presbyterian chapels, a Free church, and a Methodist chapel. There are two public schools, several private seminaries, a mechanics' institute, and a subscription library. There are also several charitable institutions. The town is governed by a provost, three bailies, a treasurer, town-clerk, and chamberlain, with 15 councillors. The annual revenue of the burgh is about £1700. It was created a royal burgh by David II., and unites with Haddington, Jedburgh, Lauder, and North Berwick, in returning a member to parliament. Pop. (1851), 3038. Dunbar is a station on the North British railway, 25½ miles E.N.E. from Edinburgh.