The Scottish town that started supporting Norway 86 years ago
How the south of Scotland town of Dumfries became the "unofficial capital" of Norway during WW2.
By BBC News
The Scottish town of Dumfries became the unofficial capital of Norway during the Second World War, offering unwavering support to the Norwegian people 86 years ago after their country was invaded by Germany. When Nazi forces occupied Norway in April 1940, King Haakon VII and his government fled to Britain, eventually settling in Dumfries in the south of Scotland.
The town, located in the Dumfries and Galloway region, welcomed the royal family and hundreds of Norwegian refugees, providing them with housing, employment, and a sense of community far from their war-torn homeland. Dumfries residents quickly integrated the Norwegians into daily life, with local schools teaching Norwegian children alongside British pupils and businesses hiring Norwegian workers.
The town’s church hosted regular services for the Norwegian community, and local events often included Norwegian music and traditions, helping preserve the refugees’ cultural identity during the darkest years of the war. The relationship between Dumfries and Norway remained strong long after the war ended.
In 1995, a friendship stone was erected in Dumfries to commemorate the enduring bond, and Norwegian officials have frequently returned to the town for commemorative events. Today, Dumfries is still affectionately known as the “unofficial capital of Norway” in Scottish and Norwegian circles, a testament to the compassion and solidarity shown by its people during a time of global crisis.
The story of Dumfries and Norway highlights how a small Scottish town can play a pivotal role in international history, offering refuge and hope when nations are under threat.