Wigtown itself is Scotland`s Booktown, and we are just a 5 minute stroll from the centre. Home to a reputed quarter of a million books, you are sure to find something to tempt! There is also a picture shop, several gift shops, pubs, and cafes. Visit our Country Buildings with its library, internet access, museum and jail cell. Wander down to the old kirk yard and the Martyr`s graves and visit the Martyr`s stake out on the mudflats. There are also street markets on Saturdays weekly throughout the summer.
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Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve: Wigtown Bay Local Nature Reserve is the largest Local Nature Reserve in Britain. Many of our rooms overlook the large areas of saltmarsh and mudflats that are important for many of the species that live there. It is particularly important for salt tolerant plants, wintering wildfowl and fish such as allis and twait shad, and has long been a popular venue for a range of recreational activities including wildfowling, angling and bird watching.The entire population of Barnacle Geese leave Svalbard to winter throughout the area and can often be seen down on the mudflats and fields.
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County Building Wildlife Viewing Room: Located on the top floor with a fantastic panoramic view out over the LNR. There is a live CCTV link to nesting ospreys during the breeding season, and replay of older footage throughout the rest of the year, and there is usually an enthusiastic person to talk to - or if not plenty of leaflets and information.
This year our pair are back, and the first egg hatched on Andrew`s birthday - May 26th!
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Bladnoch Distillery: Scotland`s most southerly distillery. Shop open weekdays throughout the year, with added weekends in July & August. Tours available year round, with a wee dram at the end.
Wigtown Off Road Driving: Off road 4x4 driving, alternatively there is tank driving a little further afield at Garlieston
Torhouse Stone Circle: Also known as the Standing Stones of Torhouse this 19m diameter stone circle consists of some 19 large granite boulders. There are three large upright stones in the centre of the circle known as King Gauldus`s Tomb, Galdus being a mythical Scottish king. This type of stone circle is most commonly found in north-east Scotland and is therefore unusual for this area. Easy parking and free entry all year round. Other stones in the area include Boreland (Newtown Stewart),Drumtrodden (Monreith, Port William) and Glenterrow (Glenluce)
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Whithorn: Follow in the footsteps of commoners and kings who for centuries have visited the shrine of St. Ninian, Scotland`s very first saint. Discover more about Whithorn`s early Christian past and the continuous story of the churches on the site. Marvel at the magnificent 12th century bishops crozier and rings. Very little is known about Ninian and there are no written references to him from the period he was alive have been found. We can only refer to works written many years after his death. Historians now read these texts carefully trying to separate the truth from tradition and embroidery from fact, but it is acknowledged that Whithorn is the "cradle of Christianity" in Scotland.
In 1329 a 55 year old, dying Robert the Bruce made his final pilgrimage to Whithorn praying for forgivness for the murder of John Comyn and the suffering and death of his loved ones.