A Guide to the Isle of Whithorn Village

1: Isle of Whithorn Bowling Club

The Isle's Bowling Club is a popular summertime venue for residents and visitors alike. Membership fees are very reasonable. Contact information.

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2: Dunbar House

B&B accommodation in this traditional terraced house with superb views over the Harbour. Contact information.

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3: Tonderghie Row

A varied terrace of single and two-storeyed dwelling houses, which although much altered over time are none the less historic, and add considerable charm to the harbour.

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4: Queens Arms Hotel

One of the Isle's traditional hostelries - offering a full range of meals and accommodation; warm and comfortable surroundings, local Galloway ales from Sulwath Brewery (Castle Douglas). Contact information.

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5: Isle Post Office & Shop

Come and meet Margaret Cronie who provides this open-all-hours (almost) lifeline service for residents and visitors. Besides the Post Office, there are groceries, confectionery, milk, newspapers, ice cream, postcards and souvenirs, fruit and vegetables.

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6: Isle Castle

Private, but may been seen from the road, the Isle Castle is one of the village's oldest buildings.

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7: St Ninian's Hall / Isle of Whithorn Cinema

Our village hall, and one of the Community's focal points - anything from dances and fund-raising 'do's for the RNLI to Community Council meetings and regular get togethers for the 'Thursday Club', the Isle over-50's association.

In 2009 the Hall underwent major refurbishment and its new, multi-purpose facilities are now the venue for Scotland's most Southerly Cinema.

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8: Captain's Garden

This private house can be seen from the street as well from across the Harbour. Another building which depicts the Isle's 19th century heritage of buildings. Surrounded by a castellated effect sea wall which adds great charm to the character of the harbour.

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9: Old Schoolhouse

(private, but may be seen from the road): This was once the main school for Isle youngsters. Its single classroom last echoed to the sound of the breaktime bell in 1978, and today Isle children attend Primary School in Whithorn.

Isle Archive is a community project which is gathering information about the school and its pupils and staff. A collection of school photographs is being compiled, and if you have any recollections or information that might be of interest, please visit the Isle Archive page.

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10: Main Street

A traditional row of houses, many of which have the sea at both the front and rear of the buildings.

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11: Isle Kirk

Another focal point of the Isle - a former Free Church, and whose interior simplicity is all part of its charm.

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12: McWilliam's Store (site)

Until its demolition in 2001, this was one of the Isle's most characterful buildings. Originally this was the site of the McWilliam Brothers shipbuilding business, and which later became a general store, selling almost anything from the proverbial needle to an anchor. On the wall of the Wigtown Bay Sailing Club opposite there is a small memorial, provided by public subscription, to this unique piece of Isle history.

More information on the McWilliam Brothers can be found in the Isle History and Archive Pages.

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13: Wigtown Bay Sailing Club

This former harbour building has been converted to provide meeting and changing room facilities for the Isle's local sailing club. More information. Contact Details.

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14: Harbour Row

This row of harbour buildings, much altered over the years, was where all the trade and activities of a busy little harbour were based. It is hoped that the area will become, through careful and sensitive redevelopment, one of the Isle's major focal points once more. (Latest information on the Regeneration project can be found on Isle Futures page).

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15: Steam Packet Inn

An award-winning inn which has year-round popularity for its restaurant and meals based on the best of local produce, including fish and seafood straight from the quayside. With comfortable accommodation, much of it overlooking the harbour, this is an important reminder of the days when the Isle of Whithorn was a key destination for Galloway's steamship trade in the 19th century. Contact information.

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16: Main Jetty

This is one of Galloway's busiest small harbours, with local and Isle of Man fishing boats regularly landing catches of seafood such as scallops, lobsters and crabs. There are mooring facilities for visiting yachts, and nearby a newly built slipway is provided for trailer-borne craft.

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17: Harbourmaster's Office & Isle Chandlery

Helpful advice on using the Harbour as well as the waters around Wigtown Bay can be obtained here. Shaun McGuire will be able to tell you all about tides, and assist with the supply of marine requisites, fuel and local repair services. Contact information.

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18: Slipway

The new slipway was constructed in 2002 to allow small craft to access the sea at all states of the tide, and was the first project to be completed as part of the Isle of Whithorn Regeneration programme.

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19: St Ninian's Chapel

This building dates back to around 1300, and marked the start of the pilgrimage route from the Isle to St Ninian's Church in Whithorn, 4 miles away.

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20: Witness Cairn

Erected in 1997 to commemorate the arrival of the Christian missionary St Ninian to these shores. It is sited in the remains of a building used to house the Isle of Whithorn lifeboat.

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21: Solway Harvester Seat

This simple granite-hewn seat is a tribute to the seven-strong local crew of the fishing boat Solway Harvester which sank in a storm off the Isle of Man in January 2000.

Read about the Solway Harvester Tragedy in the Isle History Section.

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22: The Cairn

Possibly the Isle's most familiar landmark - this square, white tower has been a navigational aid for hundreds of years. From here there are spectacular views of the Kirkcudbright coast, and the whole of the northern range of the English Lake District mountains. To the south can be seen the rounded, mountainous form of the Isle of Man. During the Second World War this was the site of a tracking station for anti-aircraft gunnery practice.

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The content of this website is maintained by members of the Isle of Whithorn Village community. If you have a comment about anything on this page please contact us. You can also add your comments to our guestbook page.