Whithorn, Isle Of

   WHITHORN, ISLE OF, a sea-port village, in the parish of Whithorn, county of Wigton, 2½ miles (S. E.) from the town of Whithorn; containing 495 inhabitants. This place, which is situated at the head of a small bay in the south-eastern coast of the parish, derives its name from an island at the mouth of the bay, on which are the ruins of an ancient church supposed to have been the first place of Christian worship erected in this part of Scotland. The island is less than half a mile in length, and scarcely a quarter broad; it affords shelter from easterly winds to vessels entering the bay, but is not distinguished by any particular features of importance. The village is neatly built, and principally inhabited by seamen and others employed in the trade of the port, which consists chiefly in the exportation of cattle, sheep, and swine, grain, and other agricultural produce; and in the importation of coal and lime from England, and various kinds of merchandise for the supply of the district. The harbour, though narrow at the entrance, has good accommodation for the vessels employed in the coasting-trade; and a commodious pier was constructed towards the close of the last century, by aid from the funds of the Convention of Royal Burghs. Vessels sail weekly to Whitehaven and other towns on the English coast; and the Galloway steamers call at this place occasionally on their passage to and from Liverpool.