Annual Pilgrimages
The Catholic Diocese of Galloway annually holds a pilgrimage to St. Ninian's Cave on the last Sunday in August. There are also youth pilgrimages, and a Christian Aid walk. |
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Archaeology
Whithorn is at the centre of an area of intense archaeological interest : the sites range from Mesolithic and Iron Age Forts, Standing Stones and Cup and Ring Markings, an 11th Century Chapel, Castles from the era of Robert the Bruce. |
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Beaches
Sandy beaches suitable for young children, and rocky beaches with a great variety of pebbles, geological formations and sea life make the coasts of the Machars an attractive place for families. |
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Cruises to the Isle Of Man
Once a year, the motor cruiser leaves from Garlieston for the Isle of Man, allowing a stay ashore, or a trip round the island. It harks back to the days when steampackets regularly left the Machars ports. |
Cycling
Cyclists gravitate naturally to the quiet roads of the Machars; but there are also signposted routes, of varying length and difficulty. |
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Famous Sons and Daughters
Poets, including the contemporary poet Alastair Reid, an important nineteenth century economist, and the world-famous father of conservation, Gavin Maxwell, were all born in the towns and villages of the South Machars. |
Fishing
Two shops (Vickers newsagents and B. Perks and Sons, Ironmongers) in Whithorn offer tackle, bait (and advice) to the fisherman. It is a popular local hobby, with young and old alike. Coastal and sea fishing are particularly popular in the South Machars, and boats may be chartered at the Isle of Whithorn. |
Footpaths
There are walks along rugged cliff edges and in the forest at Sorbie. A network of paths is continuing to develop. |
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Gardens
Garden historians, as well as those who like to visit gardens and see unusual plants, such as the Handkerchief Tree, will find much to attract them in the South Machars. Woodfall Gardens, Monreith Gardens and Galloway House gardens all have interesting histories and are in different stages of restoration. |
Genealogy
Many families from the Whithorn area emigrated to Canada, the United States and Australia from the mid-nineteenth century. Some of the unique Machars surnames were therefore scattered widely all over the world. |
Golf
Probably one of the most picturesquely situated golf courses in Wigtownshire is situated at the historic St. Medan's bay, just outside the village of Monreith. |
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Industry
The lush farmlands which now cover the Machars peninsula are in fact the result of three centuries of intensive draining and development. In the absence of large-scale industry, the small towns and villages have remained remarkably unspoilt. |
Isle of Whithorn Festivals
The Isle has recently begun hosting a series of festivals and exhibitions: some have had a food and maritime theme, others have concentrated on local heritage. |
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Monreith Animal World
Families with young children, in particular, will welcome the opportunity to visit an attraction which allows close-up contact with baby animals, including some unusual breeds. |
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Roman Catholic Church
Mass is celebrated in St Martin and St Ninian church on Friday mornings at 10:00 am and on Sundays at 12 noon.
On other days mass is celebrated in St Ninian's, Newton Stewart Mondays and Sundays at 10:00 am and at Sacred Heart in Wigtown on Tuesdays at 10:00 am and on Saturdays Virgil is at 6:00 pm. |
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Sailing
Garlieston, Port William and Isle of Whithorn harbours all offer opportunities for the sailing of small craft. There are also commercial fishing vessels, which bring home scallops for export and for local restaurants. |
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St. Ninian
St. Ninian's church in Whithorn is likely to have been founded over a century before Columba's church at Iona; archaeologists worked here for over a decade, uncovering the evidence for the earliest Christian community in Scotland. Simultaneously, they proved it to be prosperous, literate, and in touch with movements of thought from Europe and beyond. |
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The St Ninian Festival
A week long festival of music, exhibitions, drama, visual arts, and poetry. For the first time the Festival opens with a special walk through Physgill Glen in the dark with the trees lit by lanterns and coloured lights.'MEDIEVAL MEET MARDI GRAS!parade is on 26th August ' Lot's of costumes, banners, samba music all led by giant 12ft high puppets. |
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The Swallow Theatre
Probably Whithorn's most unexpected visitor attraction, this small-scale theatre offers an ambitious programme of events year round, and sponsors original works by local performers and writers. |
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The Wicker Man Connection
Fans of the Wicker Man film will know that many scenes were filmed in Whithorn and surrounding area; most famously, the last sequence was filmed on the cliffs at Burrowhead. |
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Whithorn Trust Visitor Centre
The Whithorn Trust Visitor Centre is the starting point for the visitor who wishes to learn about the oldest church in Scotland, and the community which grew up around it in the Fifth Century AD. Whithorn has an internationally important collection of Christian stones, reflecting the early period at which Ninian founded his church here. |
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Whithorn's Burgh Status
The two-storeyed houses which meet your eye as you enter Whithorn are the first indication that you are entering a town, not a village. The surviving Royal Charter dates to the sixteenth century, but archaeological evidence from as early as the fifth and sixth centuries points to the sort of luxury which was only to be expected from settlements with prestige, literacy, and cosmopolitan contacts. |
Wildlife
There is an osprey viewing centre at County Buildings, Wigtown |
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