Whithorn Priory

St Ninian built Scotland’s first recorded Christian
church at Whithorn during the fifth century - long
before Columba reached the shores of lona.
Archaeologists have been investigating the site since
1986 and have discovered some significant remains,
including those of a Viking settlement. If visitors don’t
mind skeletons, they will enjoy the Whithorn Dig,
which received a Glasgow Herald award in 1987 for the
site offering the most to the public. Since then a visitor
centre has opened.
During the Middle Ages St Ninian’s shrine became
one of Western Europe’s most renowned seats of
learning, and many monarchs made the pilgrimage —
including Mary, Queen of Scots, Robert the Bruce,
Queen Margaret of Denmark and James V.

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me:

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