Town planning took place at Whithorn as early as the 14th century, reveals the latest publication in the Scottish Burgh Survey Series.

“Historic Whithorn: Archaeology and Development”, published by Historic Scotland and the Council for British Archaeology, looks at the rich history and archaeology of the town and the nearby Isle of Whithorn.

Lead author, Richard Oram, said: “It was fascinating to see emerge the layout of a unique 14th-century planned town. This is even more astonishing as this was undertaken in the middle of a world being turned upside down by war, famine and disease, and speaks of confidence for the future.”

St Ninian founded the original monastic community at Whithorn and became the focus of pilgrimage. His supposed burial place predates Columba’s at Iona.

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The Reformation brought a lull, but pilgrimage resumed in the 20th century and an annual pilgrimage continues to this day to St Ninian’s cave along Physgill Glen.

The next pilgrimage takes place this Sunday on August 29th.

The pilgrim routes in the vicinity of the town were defined by carved crosses, some of which are displayed in the Historic Scotland Museum and others which may still be incorporated into houses in the town. A wide main street is lined with substantial houses on plots of medieval origin.

Co-author Paula Martin, said: "There is much more to Whithorn and the Isle of Whithorn than the Priory or the Chapel, and we hope that others will build on our work and carry out more detailed research."

Charles McKean, co-author, commented, “In essence, our approach was as much about making sense of Whithorn's potential as of its past.”

Janet Butterworth of the Whithorn Trust added: “The Trust has carried out extensive research on the area around the Priory ruins but there has been little research on the burgh itself. This publication allows us to understand more about the relationship between the burgh, church precincts and also the Isle of Whithorn but also it gives us information on the use of the buildings by residents, merchants and pilgrims.”

(GK/KMcA)