The town has a long history, and was the burial site of an Anglo-Saxon saint called Cuthbert, from whence its name derived.
There was a monastery here from the 12th Century, but nothing remains of it today. Further south though there are the ruins of Dundrennan Abbey.
There is a large castle, MacLellan's Castle, in the centre of the main street. Unfortunately it was not open the day I came visiting. It is believed the castle stands on the ground once occupied by the Monastery.
The town was made aRoyal Burgh in 1453. About a hundred years later Mary Queen of Scots gave permission for part of the convent and nunnery to be used as a parish Church. In 1570, Sir Thomas McLellan dismantled the church to build his castle.
The Tolbooth was built around 1625, and one of its most famous prisoners was John Paul Jones, founder of the US Navy.
In 1942, the land near the Solway Firth was bought by the Ministry of Defence and was used as a training ground for the D Day Landings, and also asa firing range.
The famous Artists Group, "The Glasgow Boys", and the "Scottish Colourists" moved here away from Glasgow.
A film verion of Dorothy Sayers crime novel "Five Red Herrings" was shot in the town.
There is also a small but interesting museum to be visited.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirkcudbright
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glasgow_Boys#The_Glasgow_Boys
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Colourists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacLellan%27s_Castle
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