St Ninian's Chapel, Isle of Whithorn

St Ninian's Chapel is in the village of Isle of Whithorn (Scottish Gaelic: Port Rosnait) in the southwest of Scotland. The harbour village is about 3 miles from the town of Whithorn (Scottish Gaelic: Taigh Mhàrtainn) in the historic county of Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhaile na h-Ùige, Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh). The chapel is thought to have been built in around 1300 AD to replace an earlier chapel erected in the 1100s. The chapel was repaired and partly rebuilt in 1898 by the Marquess of Bute, however its main features were preserved. 

The chapel is dedicated to Saint Ninian, a Christian saint, who was said to be an early missionary among the Pictish peoples of what is now Scotland. Saint Ninian is also credited with building the first recorded Christian church in Scotland; Candida Casa, built by Saint Ninian in Whithorn in about 397 AD. The present ruins St Ninian's Chapel in the Isle of Whithorn are rectangular. The internal measurements being about 31 ft × 16 ft 6 in. When excavated the foundations of the earlier chapel were found. The chapel stood within a contemporary enclosure wall, part of which is still standing. There is some evidence that an outer enclosure may have once existed. 

There are also other buildings of historical interest in the Isle of Whithorn. Including Isle Castle thought to have been constructed in 1674. Then, pointing to its maritime heritage, there is also the Isle of Whithorn Tower (The Cairn) that has served as a navigational aid for centuries. From this point can be seen clear views of the Kirkcudbright coast, the English Lake District mountains, and the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). Burrow Head is just a couple of miles south from the village and at about 16 miles is the closest point that the Isle of Man has to any of its neighbouring countries. More information on places of interest in the Isle of Whithorn can be seen on the link below:

Link: A Guide to the Isle of Whithorn Village.