Last Update:
November 27, 2024
Palmerston Park is a great looking traditional ground, with a nice blend of new and old stands. On one side of the ground is the relatively new Rosefield Salvage (East) Stand. This smart looking, all seated single tier stand, is covered and runs the full length of the pitch. It has a capacity of 2,192 seats. Opposite is the Gates Power Grandstand, a classic looking covered seated stand, that has a raised seated area. It only runs for around half the length of the pitch, straddling the half way line. There are small portions of terracing at the front of the stand and at either side.
At one end is the Portland Drive Terrace. This is a fair sized terrace, that is partly covered (to the rear). The roof has a gable perched upon it, which features a traditional looking clock. This terrace is now the largest remaining terrace at a football ground in Scotland. The stadium has benefited recently with the re-opening of the Terregles Street End. This open terrace had been closed for some years, but after some repairs and safety work, it is now in use once again, boosting the overall capacity of the ground by almost 2,000. Palmerston Park also has a striking set of floodlights. During 2013 an artificial 3G playing surface was installed, which was upgraded a year later to a 5G pitch.
On the external wall of the Terregles Street Terrace there are some interesting looking murals, which depict past scenes. Also on the outside of the Main Stand there also some very good memorial paintings of former supporters.
Martin Buchan informs me; ‘The club have drawn up plans to bring the ground up to the 6,000 capacity needed for SPL football. This would involve the building of a new stand at the Terregles End of the ground, which would be similar in design to the existing East Stand. The Portland Drive Terrace would also be made all seated. In addition the pitch would be extended to comply with the current rules for European matches’.
There is a bar at the ground, at the rear of the West Stand. This is called the Palmerston Lounge Bar and away fans are welcome. The nearest bar, is the Spread Eagle Inn, which is about a five minute walk away. Around the corner from this bar, are a number of others including the Devorgilla Lounge Bar. Otherwise Dumfries town centre is around a 10-15 minute walk away. There are a number of pubs to be found including a Wetherspoons Outlet called ‘Robert The Bruce’ on Buccleuch Street. Also on the same street is the Cavens Arms. Whilst on Whitesands there is the Coach & Horses and the New Bazaar. All these four town centre pubs are listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. If you are after a bit of history then on the High Street is the Globe Inn. Dating back to 1610, this was once the favourite bar of poet Robert Burns, who often frequented as a customer.
Away fans are located in the relatively new Rosefield Salvage Stand, which is shared with home supporters. Around half this stand is allocated, which is around 1,100 seats. If demand requires it, then the Terregles Street open terrace can also be allocated, taking the total allocation to around 3,000. The facilities in the Rosefield Salvage Stand and view of the action are pretty good and even a small amount of away supporters can really generate some noise from it. Plus unlike the Terregles Street End it has cover.
R Shields a visiting Clyde supporter informs me; ‘This is perhaps one of the best, if not the best day out in the first division. A hospitable ground, good facilities, placed in a town that is enjoyable to visit. Queens are good competition, and if I had to single out a favourite away game, then this would be it!’ Whilst Philip Addison a visiting Darlington supporter adds; ‘The ground was a mixture of a new stand, an updated old stand and old terraces. It felt like a throwback to watching football in years gone by. The atmosphere was lively, especially at times when a bagpipe player was blowing’.
Please note that cash is not accepted at the turnstiles. Away fans can purchase tickets at the ticket office which is located on one corner of the sports complex situated behind the Rosefield Salvage Stand.
Approaching Dumfries from the North or East you will reach the A75 Dumfries by pass. Follow signs for Kilmarnock/Stranraer and when you reach the roundabout, that is the junction with the A76 (Glasgow Street) turn left towards Dumfries, Go over a couple of roundabouts and when you a reach a T junction (where you can see the Spread Eagle Inn), with a set of traffic lights, turn right at the lights onto the A780. A short way down this road turn right into Terregles Street for the ground. There is a fair amount of parking at the ‘Ice Bowl’ behind the Galloway News (East Stand), otherwise there is some street parking available.
Dumfries Railway Station is served by trains from Glasgow and Carlisle. Palmerston Park is just over a mile away from the station and should take about 20-25 minutes to walk. When you arrive by train you will see an imposing hotel right in front of you and behind it is a street called Lovers Walk. Turn right along Lovers Walk until you reach Academy Street. Continue along Academy Street bearing right past Burns Statue on to Buccleuch Street. Continue until you pass over Buccleuch Street Bridge, then turn right into Glasgow Street. After 60 yards turn left into David Street and immediately right into King Street. At the next junction turn left into Portland Drive and the ground is in front of you. Away fans then turn left. Note that tickets need to be purchased from a ticket booth behind the Rosefield Salvage Stand or the ticket office in the new building situated behind the main stand. If you wish to see the murals painted on the outside of the Terregles stand, do not turn into Glasgow Street, but keep walking up Terregles Street. Unless you already have a ticket for this stand you will have to either retrace your steps or carry further on and turn right and right again to access the stadium area.
Booking train tickets in advance will normally save you money! Find train times, prices and book tickets with Trainline. Visit the website below to see how much you can save on the price of your tickets:
All areas of Palmerston Park:
Adults £18
Concessions £10
Under 16’s £5
Concessions apply to OAP’s & Students. In addition disabled supporters and one accompanying carer are admitted free.
Official Programme £2.50
Queen Of The South FC fixture list (takes you to the BBC Sports Website).
Stranraer, Annan Athletic and Ayr United.
Record Attendance
26,552 v Hearts
Scottish Cup 3rd Round, February 23rd, 1952.
Average Attendance
2018-2019: 1,641 (Championship League)
2017-2018: 1,452 (Championship League)
2016-2017: 1,857 (Championship League)
If you require hotel accommodation in the area then first try a hotel booking service provided by Late Rooms. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will go to help with the running costs of keeping the Guide going.
If you require hotel accommodation in Dumfries then first try a hotel booking service provided by Booking.com. They offer all types of accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets from; Budget Hotels, Traditional Bed & Breakfast establishments to Five Star Hotels and Serviced Apartments. Plus their booking system is straightforward and easy to use. Yes this site will earn a small commission if you book through them, but it will help towards the running costs of keeping this Guide going.
Official Web Site: www.qosfc.com
Unofficial Web Sites:
Only One Team In The Bible
Queen Of The South MAD
If anything is incorrect or you have something to add, then please e-mail me at: [email protected] and I’ll update the guide.
Ground Layout
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting the ground itself?
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of the stadium?
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out
Queen of the South v Annan Athletic
League Cup Group Stage
Tuesday 16th July 2019, 7.45pm
Ian Houston (Annan Athletic)
Queen of the South v Montrose
Championship Play-off Semi Final
Saturday 11th May 2019, 3pm
Mark Rigby (Neutral)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Palmerston Park?
As Rochdale’s season had finished I was looking for a ‘footy fix’ and having watched the first leg of the semi final on Sky Television decided on this game.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I arrived at 1.40pm and parked just outside the ground adjacent to the East Stand. The ground was easy to find and an easy drive from Rochdale with motorways and the A75 into Dumfries from the M6. There was plenty of street parking available right up to kick-off.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I bought a ticket for the game from the kiosk under the East Stand. The man who served me was very friendly and took a genuine interest in my visit. All the staff and fans I spoke to were friendly. I spoke to several fans from other teams who seemed to have the same idea as me including a Burnley fan from Norwich who was killing time before Burnley’s game versus Arsenal the following day.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Palmerston Park?
Wow-those floodlights! A traditional old ground with a ‘proper’ terrace.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Queen of the South were 2-1 down from the first leg but had created more than enough chances to win at Montrose. The game was soon over as a contest as the home side quickly went 3-0 up on the day and finished at half-time 5-0 to the good. The food at the kiosks was cheap and it’s the first time I’ve stood on a terrace eating a Bridie! £3.60 for a coffee and Bridie. Everyone was friendly and a good atmosphere was created by the younger fans and their drum.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Getting away was easy. I waited until the final whistle and walked out of the gates, into my car and was back on the A75 within three minutes. I was back home in Rochdale at 19:15. A better than the journey up to Dumfries as the M6 was closed in both directions and had to detour through the scenic Yorkshire Dales.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A cracking day out made even better by the glorious weather. A traditional, friendly club, well worth the visit……and those floodlights!
Queen of the South v Partick Thistle
Scottish Championship
Saturday 4th May 2019, 3pm
Mark Jones (Neutral)
Queen of the South v Dumbarton
Scottish Championship League
Saturday 3rd December 2016, 3pm
Stuart Edwards (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Palmerston Park?
I am a Wrexham supporter who has lived in Carlisle for the last 20 years. Palmerston Park was the first Scottish ground I ever visited and it remains my favourite; it is also – apart from Annan and Gretna – the easiest to get to from Carlisle. A friend and I had pencilled in that Saturday to take in a game in Scotland. In the end time constraints resulted in a trip to Dumfries.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
We travelled to Dumfries on the train from Carlisle. It is any easy fifteen minute walk from the railway station to the ground. Once through the town centre you can see the Palmerston Park floodlights.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
We went straight to the ground. You have to purchase a ticket to enter the ground – the turnstiles don't accept cash. We sat in the East Stand and there is a kiosk selling tickets outside the stand.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Palmerston Park?
Palmerston Park is a traditional looking ground and hasn't altered since my first visit nearly twenty years ago. From the East Stand you have an excellent view and the home supporters are friendly. There are refreshments available in the concourse under the stand. There is a large covered terrace at the end to the right and an open terrace at the end to the left. The Main Stand, which straddles the halfway line, is opposite. The East Stand is the newest part of the ground.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Queen of the South were on a terrible run and despite playing well for the first twenty minutes or so lost all confidence after conceding. They went on to lose 2-1, despite being slightly the better of the two teams.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
Walked back to the railway station after the game. It was tight in terms of time to get the 17.08 train back to Carlisle. I missed it!! The next train necessitated a fifty minute wait. If you were desperate to get back early to Carlisle it would probably be best to leave the ground before the end of the game.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
A trip to see Queen of the South is always a good day out. Well worth a visit.
Queen of the South v Greenock Morton
Scottish Championship League
Saturday 15th October 2016, 3pm
Brian Scott (Neutral fan)
Why were you looking forward to this game and visiting Palmerston Park?
I HADT been to Scotland for about a year, so I thought that I should get one of there grounds done before the poorer weather comes and the game could be postponed and therefore a wasted and costly trip.
How easy was your journey/finding the ground/car parking?
I stayed for two nights in Carlisle and travelled on to Dumfries on the Saturday morning. I found the ground easily as the floodlights stand out.
What you did before the game pub/chippy etc, and were the home fans friendly?
I arrived in Dumfries late morning and had a walk around, paying particular attention to the memorials, museums etc to Robert Burns as he spent his last years here and is buried in a mauseleum. I also went up to the Dumfries museum in an old lighthouse and was able to view the oldest 'Camera Obscura' in the country. It was not far from there to the ground.
What you thought on seeing the ground, first impressions of away end then other sides of Palmerston Park?
On following the walking instructions in this guide I found the rear of the Terregles Street stand. I spent some time admiring the murals that have been painted on the outside wall. But there was none about, no sign of life at all. So I walked on up that road and then turned right into Lochfield Road and then right again and across a car park until I eventually came to the rear of the main stand. This must have added a half a mile to my walk! I then found out that I had to retrace my steps to the smart building behind the main stand and buy a ticket from the ticket office which is inside. I then needed to find the quickest route back to the railway station after the match so I found an alternative route. The turnstiles to the main stand didn't open until about 2.30pm and I then had a walk around the inside as far as I could go. No wonder it was so quiet on the outside of the Terregles Street stand as that was totally closed. I was told that it is only open when there is a large contingent of away fans. The brand new artificial grass pitch looked immaculate. I was impressed with the painted memorials to deceased supporters on the front of the Main Stand.
Comment on the game itself, atmosphere, stewards, pies, facilities etc..
Home supporters were stunned as Morton were three goals up by the 36th minute and Queen of the South are top of the table. In the 64th minute it was 0-4 and then a penalty in the 72nd minute ended the scoring. Morton thrashed the league leaders. For a neutral the entertainment was good with some excellent bent shots ending in the net.
Comment on getting away from the ground after the game:
With the result in no doubt at all, I left just before the end so that I could get back to the railway station to catch the 17.07 train back to Carlisle. It took me 20 minutes of fast walking.
Summary of overall thoughts of the day out:
I enjoyed my long trip to Dumfries and especially looking around the river area of the town. I also liked the old feel of the ground, but the wooden seats in the centre area of the main stand were not very comfortable and the plastic backless ones to the outside were not much better.