Isle of Whithorn
| Isle of Whithorn | |
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 Isle of Whithorn
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| Isle of Whithorn shown within Dumfries and Galloway | |
| Population | 300 (2001 Census) |
| OS grid reference | NX479273 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NEWTON STEWART |
| Postcode district | DG8 |
| Dialling code | 01988 |
| Police | Scottish |
| Fire | Scottish |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | |
| Scottish Parliament | |
Isle of Whithorn (Port Rosnait in Gaelic), is one of the most southerly villages and seaports in Scotland, lying on the coast north east of Burrow Head, about three miles from Whithorn in Dumfries and Galloway. Whithorn, (Taigh Mhàrtainn in Gaelic), is a former royal burgh in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway, with which the Isle of Whithorn is frequently incorrectly amalgamated or confused. It lies about thirteen miles south of Wigtown.
The village is the location of the long ruined 13th century Saint Ninian's Chapel, previously a chapel linked to Whithorn Priory and a stopping off point for pilgrims landing on Isle Head and making their way to Whithorn. No longer a true island, John Ainslie's maps as late as 1782 and 1821 show the Isle as an island. The main street was originally a causeway, with the harbour located on what was then the true Isle.
The Isle has a long history of habitation, for example a survey of the ground between the Isle village and Saint Ninian's Chapel revealed Clearance cairns and cultivation furrows, as well as the remains of a rectangular building occupying the crest of the low hill immediately to the west of the chapel, with possible steps leading downhill towards the east.
A Community Council represents the village and a Church of Scotland church, previously a Free Kirk, sits on the old boatyard, a site extending into the harbour and threatened at exceptionally high tides. There is a bowling club, a basic football pitch and two play areas for the young. The village hall is well used - in August 2008, the community took over management control of this facility and it is now completely refurbished and home to Scotland's most southerly cinema 'Machars Movies'. Following a substantial award from the Big Lottery Fund, a new tearoom and retail shop 'Saint Ninian's' was constructed alongside the hall, and this opened in October 2014. The village has one pub, the Steam Packet Inn. A second pub, the Queen's Arms was closed some years ago. A post office and shop are situated on the roadside near the Queen's Arms. Also on the harbour there is a fish shop/general store called Isle Sea Foods, where you can buy fresh fish and also groceries. Upstairs in the building there is a launderette, a toilet and shower facilities. The old village school is now a private house, overlooking the Stinking Port, the bay on the other side of the Isle promontory. The war memorial sits at the north end of the village just off Main Street. It is a granite memorial stands on a mound overlooking the bowling green with twelve First World War names on it and five Second World War names. The regiments and ships are given for the First World War only.
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Wikipedia