Wigtownshire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wigtown
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County (until circa 1890)
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| Country | Scotland |
| County town | Wigtown |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1,263 km2 (488 sq mi) |
| Ranked 17th | |
| Chapman code |
WIG
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Wigtownshire, also known as the County of Wigtown, is a historic area in the southwest of Scotland. It's like a special region that was once used for keeping official records. It was a county until 1975, which means it had its own local government and way of being managed.
Contents
Discover Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire is a beautiful part of Scotland, known for its history and lovely towns. It's located in the area called Dumfries and Galloway. Let's explore some of its most interesting places!
Main Towns in Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire has several important towns, each with its own unique story.
Newton Stewart: Gateway to the Hills
Newton Stewart is a town located right next to the River Cree. Most of the town is on the west side of the river. People sometimes call it the "Gateway to the Galloway Hills" because it's a great starting point for exploring the nearby mountains and beautiful countryside. It used to be a "burgh," which is an old Scottish word for a town with special rights and a local government.
Stranraer: A Coastal Hub
Stranraer is another important town in Wigtownshire. It's located on the coast and has been a busy port for a long time. You can often see ferries here, connecting Scotland to other places.
Whithorn: Scotland's First Church
Whithorn is a very historic town. It's famous for being the place where the first recorded Christian church in Scotland was built. This church was called Candida Casa, which means 'White House' or 'Shining House'. It was built by Saint Ninian around the year 397 AD, making it a truly ancient and important site.
Wigtown: Scotland's Book Town
Wigtown is the main town of Wigtownshire. It's known as "Scotland's National Book Town" because it has many second-hand book shops. If you love reading, this is a fantastic place to visit! Every year, Wigtown also hosts a popular book festival, where authors and readers come together. About 1,000 people live in Wigtown. It used to be a "royal burgh," meaning it had special rights granted by the king or queen.
Images for kids
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Looking across the eastern part of Loch Ryan and over to Luce Bay. In the distance can also be seen the Isle of Man
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Ferry berthed at Cairnryan
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Western Scotland in the 11th century
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Civil parishes within Wigtownshire
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Castle of St John, Stranraer
See also
In Spanish: Wigtownshire para niños
