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The image top is looking over the port
Village of Isle of Whithorn. This is now not
and Island, as development of the Harbour in
1790 led to the building of a Causeway.
Houses have since been built on the
Causeway, leaving no indication there was once
an Island.
The Steam Packet Inn looks
over the harbour, a popular spot for drinks and
meals.
The image third top is of the Kids Play area
on what used to be the Island, with the Light
Tower in the distance.
The image fourth top is of St Ninian's
Chapel looking east to Cairnhead, a very
popular Walk along the Cliff Tops.
The sign at the St Ninian's Chapel
reads.
This Chapel was probably built about 1300 and
replaced an earlier, narrower one on this site.
It stands within a perimeter wall, as did so
many early Christian Churches. The wall
probably enclosed a House for a Priest as well
as a Burial Ground.
The Chapel was probably provided for the
Community at the Port of Whithorn and for
Pilgrims traveling to the Shrine of St Ninian.
The Pilgrims landed at the safe Harbour below
here then walked the few miles to Whithorn
inland, stopping first to give thanks for their
safe arrival.
The Witness Cairn is close the Chapel. It
was placed here in 1997 so visitors can add
their own Stones around the Cairn, normally
with their names inscribed or painted on, to
show they have visited the site.
Some Stones contain the names of loved ones
that have passed away.
The Isle of Whithorn Light Tower is at the
furthest south point in this area. Burrowhead 2
miles west is slightly further south, but this
area feels like it is the end of this
Peninsular, known as the Whithorn Peninsular,
or the Machars.
The Tower has provided Ship Navigation for
hundreds of years. There seems to be no record
of when it was constructed.
The Solway
Harvester Memorial is next to the tower.
This was a Scallop Dredger from Kirkcudbright
that sank off the coast of the Isle of Man
during a storm 11th January 2000, with the loss
of all seven crew. The Memorial was placed here
in 2004, with views out to where the Ship
sank.
There is a Rock Outcrop in front of the
Tower, with a route out to the end, although
there is a fair bit of Rock Climbing and
navigation to be done to get right out, end of
Scotland.
Looking west from the rocks you see
Burrowhead, then the Mull of Galloway on the
next peninsular with a large lighthouse,
furthest south point in Scotland.
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