THINGS TO SEE AND DO

The picturesque village harbour, dating from the latter years of the eighteenth century, is a haven for both working and pleasure craft. Sea angling is popular. An inshore rescue craft which covers the bays of Luce and Wigtown is also based here. The harbour green, a favourite stopping place for visitors, has Andrew Brown's statue of a countryman questioning the ever increasing frenzied rush of so many of this country's population. There is also a direction finder sited here. Loch and river fishing is available in the area.

Sunset over Port William

The village has a fine bowling green.

The roads are quiet and ideal for cycling with a long flat road running for several miles adjacent to the shore both to the north and the south of the village.

Golf is available at the nine hole course at Monreith, which is both scenic and challenging. It is here, sited on a cliff top, that the bronze otter by Penny Wheatley was erected as a memorial to Gavin Maxwell, the author of 'Ring of Bright Water' and many other fine books. When staying at Monreith House, his family home, he often exercised his otter on the beach below. He was born at the House of Elrig, the title of another of his works, which is situated about four miles from Port William.

During the Second World War, Oskar Kokoschka, one of the foremost artists of the twentieth century, spent some time there. Monreith House lies about a mile from Port William. This was the home of Sir Herbert Maxwell, Gavin Maxwell's grandfather, another fine writer and water colour painter. He was a naturalist writing about the countryside, gardens, trees, fish, local history, and many other subjects. He was Lord Lieutenant of Wigtownshire for thirty two years.

There are fine sandy beaches in the village at Second Sands and to the south at Monreith, and to the north at Craignarget. They are ideal for children and safe for swimming. Rock pools alongside the beach are a haven for children searching for all types of sea creatures.

Bird-watchers and botanists are delighted by the variety of specimens to be found on the foreshore and adjacent land. Otters, badgers, deer and foxes are no strangers to the area. Minky Whales, Leatherback Turtles, Basking Shark, Porpoise, Seals and Dolphins have been seen in the bay. The Scar Rocks in the bay are home to a large number of sea birds including a breeding colony of Gannets.

Carnival Week has been held over the first week in August for more than fifty years, with events for all the family. This is a time when those who have of necessity left the area try to return to meet up with their families and friends. The local lifeboat and other organisations also run 'Fun Days' in the summer.

Angling

Angling is very popular in the Machars, indeed Luce Bay is the most popular angling destination in Scotland. For more details, go to our fishing webpage

By clicking this link

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT FROM PORT WILLIAM

Monreith Animal World 01988 700217
Scenic walk meeting otters, farmyard animals, waterfowl, peacocks, aviary birds chipmunks, horses and much more.
To visit their website - Link to Monreith website

Galloway Alpacas
Cairnfield House, Whauphill. Open to the public, free admission (donations in the box on the gate gratefully received) Meet and feed the Alpacas and see the beautiful garments made from their coats. Polytunnel open for plant sales every weekend Link to Galloway Alpacas Website

Port William Bowling Club
High St., Port William Visitors welcome, honesty box. Open sweepstakes Tuesday and Friday evenings

Mochrum Carpet Bowling & Community Club
Welcomes visitors at 8/10 Main St Mochrum each Monday and Thursday evening from October to March. Contact Peter Hobbs on 01988 700977 for more details

Swallow Theatre
Countryside small theatre just south of Port William with interesting and varied productions throughout the year.
More details Swallow Theatre website

Artists Studio Lisa Hooper has established a studio/gallery in Port William, open by appointment only at the moment. For more details, see her website - Click Here

David Williams, Artist, Lecturer and Design Consultant

Visit his workshops, by appointment, and see some of his fantastic machines and pictures, more details on his webpage David Williams Webpage

Link to David Williams own website

GARDENS

Logan Botanic Gardens - subtropical gardens with cafe and interesting plant sales Link to Logan Botanic Garden

Glenwhan Gardens - 12 acre hilltop garden with lakes, plant sales and tea room - a must to visit. Link to Glenwhan

Galloway House Gardens - Historic gardens maintained to the original 1740 designs Link to Galloway House

Castle Kennedy Gardens - Home to the Earl of Stair, stunning displays Link to Castle Kennedy

Threave Gardens - National Trust for Scotland outstanding gardens Link to Threave

MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL SITES

Stranraer Museum - Local history and artifacts, many from the Port William area. Temporary exhibitions throughout the year and activities for all the family. Admission free.
Link to Stranraer Museum

Newton Stewart Museum - A very interesting look back at local history with many items donated by local families
Link to Newton Stewart Museum

Creetown Gem Rock Museum - A fascinating collection of gem rocks from all over the world. Well worth a visit
Link to Creetown Gemrock and better still click on this link for a 20% discount voucher for groups of up to 6 people.

Glenluce Abbey - Link to Glenluce Abbey

Original Mote at Mochrum (just after last house on right)

Drumtrodden Standing Stones (signposted from A714 just outside Port William)

Barsalloch Iron Age Fort (On A747 just south of Port William)

Rispain Roman Camp (On A746 Glasserton to Whithorn road)

GOLF COURSES

St Medan, Monreith - Tricky 9 hole course with spectacular views Tel 01988 700358
Link to St Medan

Wigtown & Bladnoch - 9 hole course
Link to Wigtown & Bladnoch

Newton Stewart Golf Club - 18 hole par 69
Link to Newton Stewart

Wigtownshire County Golf Club - 18 hole par 70
Link to Wigtownshire County Golf Club

Stranraer Golf Club - James Braid designed 18 hole par 70
Link to Stranraer Golf Club

Lagganmore Golf Club - 18 hole recently designed course
Link to Lagganmore Golf Club

Portpatrick Golf Club - 18 hole par 70 Dunskey course and 9 hole par 27 Dinvin course
Link to Portpatrick Golf Club

OTHER INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT

Wigtown - Scotlands National Booktown where you will find a warm welcome at the many book dealers.
Link to Wigtown

Douglas House Antiques, Crafts and Tearoom, King St Newton Stewart.
Link to Douglas House

Bladnoch Distillery - Privately owned, Scotlands most southerly whisky producer. Visitor Centre and tours.
Link to Bladnoch Single Malt Whisky Distillery

Monreith - Our close neighbours
Link to Monreith

Whithorn Dig - Cradle of Christianity in Scotland. Visitor Centre and much more.
Link to Whithorn

Isle of Whithorn - Beautiful harbour, St Ninians chapel.
Link to Isle of Whithorn

Garlieston - Exhibition on the building of Mullberry Harbours during the war, excellent walk to Rigg Bay.
Link to Garlieston

Stranraer - from where you can catch the high speed ferry to Belfast.
Link to Stranraer Website

Mull of Galloway Lighthouse - most southerly point in Scotland.Bird sanctuary and Cafe/restaurant giving fantastic views
Link to Mull of Galloway website

Galloway Forest Park
Link to Galloway Forest Park

Cream O' Galloway - Ice Cream & Adventure Play Area / Open Farm
Link to Cream O' Galloway

ACTIVITY CENTRES ETC.

Rugby Support Newton Stewart Rugby Football Club at Bladnoch Park

each SaturdayLink to Newton Stewart Rugby Website for Full Fixtures List

Wigtown Off Road Driving Centre Drive 4x4's off road
Wigtown Off Road Centre

Galloway Tanks Drive a real tank across the countryside
www.gallowaytanks.co.uk

Pony Trekking, Carriage Driving, Equestrian Centre

Ringford, Castle Douglas Link to Lochhill Equestrian

Paintball Battles and Clay Shooting at Scotlands Outdoor Centre, Glenluce
Link to Scotlands Outdoor Centre

Archery, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Mountain Boarding, Mountain Balling, Mountain Biking at Laggan Outdoor, near Mossyard
Link to Laggan Outdoor

Clay Pigeon Shooting weekends or by arrangement, guns and tuition provided
Link to Silver Fox Clay Traps

Cycle Hire from Whithorn Road Bikes, Childrens Bikes, Mountain Bikes - Wheelycomfycyclehire 0198 500899

Cycle Hire from Newton Stewart, cycles can be delivered to holiday homes
Link to HDI Cycle Hire Newton Stewart

Cycle Hire from Kirroughtree Visitor Centre. Range of mountain bikes, tag a longs & kids bikes. 7Stanes trail centre.
Guiding and trail advice in the Forest Park. Tel 01671 401303
Open Feb - Nov 10 -5pm (call ahead)
Link to The Break Pad

All of these places are within an hours' drive from Port William.

More information about the area on yourlocalweb.co.uk

Flights of Geese coming in over Luce Bay

Being in the warm Gulf Stream, items wash ashore and interesting finds can be made in the many rock pools. These are Goose Necked Barnacles attached to a buoy which was found in late 2007

Scottish Austin 7 Club

Always something different in Port William, the Scottish Austin 7 Club hold a weekend rally here each year.

EVENTS DIARY

EVERY WEEK EVENTS

MONDAY

Bridge Club Monreith Arms 7.15 visitors welcome

Cash Bingo with the Machars Lions Club

Maxwell Hall, Port William. Eyes Down 7.30

TUESDAY

Open Sweepstake at the Bowling Club 7.00pm. April - September. Visitors Welcome

WEDNESDAY

Bridge Club Wigtown Golf Club 1.45

THURSDAY

Prize Bingo with Machars Lions Club, various locations round the Machars, see local notice boards for details Eyes Down 7.30

FRIDAY

Cash Bingo with the Machars Lions Club

New Town Hall, Whithorn. Eyes Down 7.30

Open Sweepstake at the Bowling Club 7.00pm. April - September Visitors Welcome

SATURDAY

Street Market, Wigtown. Lots of Crafts and Bargains. Open 10.00 to 3.30 alternate Saturdays

Link to Wigtown Market

Rugby at Bladnoch Park

Link to Newton Stewart RFC for fixture list

SUNDAY

Church Service 11.00am Mochrum Kirk

Things to Do and See

To include your event or activity in this section, please contact the webmaster

David Hirst on 01988 700637

or e-mail enquiries@portwilliam.com

To enter this competition

click on this link

WED 28th July 2010 8.00pm

8.00pm Port William Community Council Meeting in the Maxwell Hall. Open Meeting

All Welcome

SAT 31 Jul to Sun 8 Aug 2010

It's CARNIVAL WEEK !!!!!

See programme for more details