Author: theoldsmiddy@hotmail.com

Sculptured by Penny Wheatley, the otter statue is in honour of Gavin Maxwell, best known for his book Ring of Bright Water, published in 1960.Movie Fact: A film was made in 1969 based on the book, starring Bill Travers (Born Free & The Smallest Show on Earth) and Virginia McKenna (Born Free & A Town READ MORE

Druchtag Motte today consists of just a tall, steep mound and associated ditch, but it was once the site of a formidable timber stronghold.  Mottes are a kind of medieval earthwork castle, built both for defence and as symbols of lordship. The first mottes in Scotland were built in the early 1100s, during the reign READ MORE

Whithorn, is a royal burgh (town) in Dumfries and Galloway region, in the historic county of Wigtownshire, southwestern Scotland. It lies on the peninsula between Luce and Wigtown bays. It is one of the oldest Christian centres in Britain, it was founded about AD 397 by St. Ninian, who built a small whitewashed stone church—hence Whithorn, or “White House,” from the READ MORE

St. Ninian, Celtic missionary (born c. 360, Britain—died c. 432); bishop generally credited as the first Christian missionary to Scotland, responsible for widespread conversions among the Celts and possibly the Southern Picts. Ninian was the first bishop of Galloway.  He is known as the Apostle to the Southern Picts, and there are numerous dedications to him READ MORE

Chapel Finian was probably built in the AD 900s or 1000s, probably as a resting spot for pilgrims on their way to Whithorn Priory. It was built in the Irish style, and is very simple, comprising a single rectangular room. The chapel is named after the Irish saint Finnian, the scholar and monastic founder who is said to have  taught READ MORE

The substantial ruins of St Ninian’s Chapel stand on the seaward side of the picturesque Isle of Whithorn, on what was originally a genuine island before the gap between it and the mainland was filled during the development of the village and harbour. The chapel and the surviving part of the enclosure wall dates back to about 1300. It seems READ MORE

When you look up at night in Galloway, chances are you will see a whole lot more than usual. The region has one of the darkest skies in Europe, which makes it a fantastic place for stargazing. Since so few people live in this part of South West Scotland there is very little light pollution.  READ MORE

Bladnoch Distillery is a Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery and one of six remaining Lowland distilleries, located at Bladnoch, near Wigtown.  The distillery is situated on the banks of the River Bladnoch, and is reportedly the most southerly whisky distillery in Scotland. The distillery operation is small scale and the distillery has more of a READ MORE

The Mull of Galloway is Scotland’s most Southerly Point and one of the best kept secrets in the UK. The Rhins of Galloway peninsula remains an unspoiled paradise for visitors on the lookout for peace and tranquillity. At the award winning Mull of Galloway Experience, you can climb the 115 steps to the top of READ MORE

Lying on Monreith Bay are the ruins of Kirkmaiden church, one of the oldest churches in Scotland, and the resting place of many of the McCulloch and Maxwell family members, who owned the Monreith estate.  Legend has it that when this parish was united with Glasserton, the pulpit and bell were removed from Kirkmaiden church READ MORE