Local Area

Port William and surrounding area

Port William - known locally simply as 'The Port' - developed as a busy harbour in the 18th and 19th centuries, and is still home to a number of small fishing vessels. The lighthouse and harbour at Port william

The lighthouse and harbour at Port william

Situated on the shores of Luce Bay, with stunning views across to the Mull of Galloway (Scotland's most southerly point), the village enjoys a large expanse of (mostly shingle) beach and is an ideal base for exploring this unspoilt coastline, as well as the rolling countryside of the Luce Bay from the Black Rocks at Alticry

Luce Bay from the Black Rocks at Alticry

Galloway Machars. The village itself has a number of small shops and places to eat, with a lively community atmosphere, making it Regional winner of the Calor Scottish Village of the Year in 2008. The historic burghs of Whithorn - home to the medieval pilgrimage site of St Ninian's Priory - and Wigtown - National Booktown - are within easy reach, with the port of Stranraer just 40 minutes drive away.

The Wigtownshire area was recently voted one of the 50 'most authentic' areas in the world by readers of British Airways' 'High Life' magazine, and boasts some beautiful countryside, rich in wildlife and historic remains, yet free from the commercialisation and crowds which marr the better known tourist areas of Scotland and the Lake District. The area around Luce Bay was recently designated a Special Area of Conservation, and is home to some of the earliest prehistoric remains in Glenluce Abbey

Scotland, and there are numerous Bronze age forts and stone circles on the doorstep, as well as remains of medieval abbeys (such as Whithorn and Glenluce) and castles (like Druchtag Mote at Mochrum and Castle Kennedy). There are many opportunities for walking in the local area, Loch Trool from Bruces Stone

including a circular walk to Mochrum which starts just behind the cottage. The nearby Galloway Hills and Forest Park offer many more challenging walking routes and also some excellent mountain-biking trails, as part of the 7Stanes network, at Glentrool and Kirroughtree - both less than an hour from 'The Port'. Nearby Wigtown Bay is the largest local nature reserve in the country, and provides a Winter home for thousands of migrating geese and wildfowl. The whole area is rich in wildlife - including red squirrels and several species of deer.

Food and Drink

There are a number of good places to eat in the local area, including:

The Clansman - well-regarded local restaurant; The Square, Port William
The Bladnoch Inn - friendly country pub with extensive bar meal menu and a la carte restaurant; Bladnoch, nr Wigtown
The Steam Packet -harbourside pub and restaurant; Isle of Whithorn

Fish & Chips - Central Cafe, Whithorn (also delicious homemade ice cream!)