Lincluden Collegiate Church
Lincluden Collegiate Church or Lincluden Priory was founded for Benedictine around 1160, probably by Uchtred, Lord of Galloway. In 1389, the nunnery was replaced by a college of secular canons by another Lord of Galloway, Archibald ‘the Grim', and it survived the Protestant Reformation of 1560 until it was effectively abandoned by 1600. The highlights of this gothic remains are the graceful architecture of the choir, the pulpitum and the monumental tomb of Princess Margaret, Lady of Galloway.
Stranraer
Stranraer is the second largest town in Dumfries and Galloway and is best known for its ferry port which connects Scotland with Northern Ireland. The name Stranraer is an Anglicisation of ‘An t-Sròn Reamhair’ which means ‘The Fat Nose’, and refers the broad headland where the town is located. The town’s main attraction is the Castle of St John, a ruined four-story tower house built around 1500, which sits on a green in the main street and Stranraer Museum can be found in the old town hall.
Whithorn
Whithorn precedes the Isle of Iona by 150 years as a birthplace of Scottish Christianity. In 397, St Ninian established the first Christian mission north of Hadrian's Wall here, while the Roman legions still occupied Britain. He erected a small stone church known as the "Candida Casa", or White House, which was Scotland's first Christian building. The church site quickly grew to prominence and many monks were trained here who later went into the missionary field to become famous apostles of Ireland and Alba. The Whithorn Priory and Museum contains finds from the site of the ‘Candida Casa’, which has been extensively excavated in recent years and is also well worth a visit to see their selection of Celtic crosses.
Balmaghie & Ken-Dee Nature Reserve
The parish of Balmaghie is set on the banks of Loch Ken just five miles from the market town of Castle Douglas. The name is from the Gaelic, Baile MhicAoidh, which means the town of the McGhees. It is believed that MacGhee, an Irish chieftain, settled here and that his descendants retained possession of the land for many generations. To appreciate the surrounding area it would be worth visiting the RSPB Ken-Dee Nature Reserve, where the exciting winter visitors include Greenland Whitefronted and Greylag geese. The reserve includes two hides and a trail that provides access to this wetland and woodland habitat at the heart of Dumfries and Galloway.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Perched on the edge of a 260 ft high cliff and overlooking the Straits of Moyle (Sruth na Maoile in Gaelic) is the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. It was built by famous lighthouse engineer Robert Stevenson, with work commencing in 1828 and taking two years to complete. There is a Lighthouse Exhibition housed in the former engine room and visitors can learn how lighthouses used to operate before automation and electricity.
