The Machars refers to the large peninsula south of the section of the A75 which runs between Newton Stewart and Glen Luce, with the main town being Wigtown. Its name derives from the Gaelic machair which refers to the sandy grasslands bordering the sea.
This area was inhabited by the early Christians, such as St. Ninian, and there are many sites to view. Whithorn, a medieval market town at the south of the peninsula, was where St. Ninian built the first Christian mission north of Hadrian's Wall in 397AD (nearly 200 years before St. Columba established the mission on Iona). His remains were buried in Whithorn Priory to which many made a pilgrimage, including Mary Queen of Scots in 1563 until pilgrimages were prohibited at the time of the Reformation in 1581. Hence the name of the meandering Pilgrim's Way from Glen Luce (a 100-mile round trip on quiet roads and tracks). The ruins of the Priory have been recently excavated and many of the finds and further interpretation are to be found at the Whithorn Trust Discovery Centre and Whithorn Museum. Pilgrims used to land on the Isle Of Whithorn on the southern tip of the peninsula which is now linked to the mainland by a causeway. It has a natural harbour and nearby is St. Ninian's Cave, where the saint used to pray, and the 13th century St. Ninian's Chapel, built for pilgrims landing by sea. Delicious bar meals, real ale and accommodation can be found at the Steam Packet Inn.
Wigtown is a small town 7 miles south of Newton Stewart and in 1998 was named as Scotland's 'National Book Town' due to the 24 bookshops which are located in or near the square and the popular book festival held in September each year. A few miles north-west of Wigtown on the B733 stands the Torhouse Stone Circle erected about the 2nd millennium BC.
List of cottages in this area:
Sleeps: 4,
Bedrooms: 2
- No Pets
- No Smoking
- Short Breaks available
Is a magnificent conversion of an old steading, quiet and totally secluded in its own delightful orchard garden, yet just a few yards from the centre of the market town of Newton Stewart in 'Bonnie Galloway' in the south west corner of Scotland. Designed and furnished to the highest standards, lucky holiday makers now have a chance to experience its many comforts and attractions.
Sleeps: 6,
Bedrooms: 3
stands quite alone in a perfectly heavenly position high on a hill above Cairnryan in the south-west-most corner of Scotland, with fabulous views across Loch Ryan all the way to Ireland. A very high-spec, sublimely comfortable house, its lovely situation and the standard of its accommodation mean that it is sure to become a firm favourite with visitors to this delightful corner of Scotland.
Sleeps: 8
(12)
,
Bedrooms: 4
- No Smoking
- Short Breaks available
- Pet Friendly
This beautiful, light and spacious house has a breathtaking setting beside its own little lochan amid open countryside in the picturesque Rhins of Galloway in the very south western corner of Scotland. Furnished and equipped to the highest standards, it is a memorable holiday home which cannot fail to delight the most fastidious of guests.
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