The windswept ruins of Saint Ninian’s Chapel stand on the edges of the Isle of Whithorn, a fishing village south of Whithorn.
The 14th century chapel to St Ninian stands on the rocky shore above a natural landing place and was most llikely used by seaborne pilgrims visiting Ninian's shrine at Whithorn. Excavations revealed traces of an earlier, 12th century chapel.
The striking location of the chapel suggests it may have a Dark Age origin but no firm evidence to support this has yet been found. Unlike modern churches, medieval worshippers rarely had pews. There is evidence of the remains of benches set into the wall in the chapel’s nave more likely for the relief of tired pilgrims.
Cutting across the headland southwards there are the remains of three massive ditched banks, all that remains of a very old fort, the date of which is unknown.
St Ninian's Cave is traditionally believed to have been used as a place of personal retreat and prayer by St Ninian, who founded the first Christian church in Scotland, at Whithorn, some time in the 390s. As a result it is today a place of pilgrimage for those coming...
The site of Whithorn Priory has been the home to an active church since St Ninian, in 397, laid the foundation of Candida Casa, a cathedral and missionary before becoming a focus for pilgrimages.
After the Northumbrians and the Vikings departed the second phase of...
Barsalloch Fort was probably a farmstead inhabited by a tribe, known to the Romans as the Novantae. Its defences indicate that it may have been home to a minor chief.
The fort clings to a sea cliff, with views out to the Isle of Man, the Mull of Galloway and the coast...