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.

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 adjacent to the village, to the south at Monreith, and to the north at Craignarget. They are ideal for children and safe for swimming.

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. The Scar Rocks in the bay which can be reached by boat from the village is home to a large number of sea birds.

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.

Take a healthy "Walk and Talk" around Port William, at your own speed, nothing too strenuous. Join in on this NHS sponsored walk with qualified walk leaders on risk assessed routes, very informal, visitors welcome. Meet outside The Clansman each Wednesday at 11.00 am (unless wet)

For a free Visitors Guide, e-mail your name and postal address to enquiries@portwilliam.com

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 Angoras

Cairnfield House, Whauphill. Open to the public, free admission (donations in the box on the gate gratefully received) Meet and feed the Angoras and see the beautiful garments made from their coats. Website coming soon.

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

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 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

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

Paintball Battles and Clay Shooting at Scotlands Outdoor Centre, Glenluce

Link to Scotlands Outdoor Centre

Clay Pigeon Shooting weekends or by arrangement, guns and tuition provided

Link to Silver Fox Clay Traps

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

Link to HDI Cycle Hire Newton Stewart

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

For further information on fishing

fishing resource

CONTACT US
If you can't find what you are looking for on the site, or if you simply have a general enquiry, please contact us using our easy to use enquiry form. Click here.

SITE OVERVIEW
HISTORY
Archaeology, Standing Stones, Iron Age Fort, early Christian sites and much more. Port William is central to many visitor attractions. (more)

CARNIVAL WEEK
The best Carnival in South West Scotland. Check out what is planned (More)

ACCOMMODATION
Self catering cottage holidays, caravan parks and camping, guest house/bed and breakfast's and hotels. Plenty of choice to suit all budgets. (More)

BUSINESS
Whether it's provisions for your stay or a gift to take back home, you'll always receive a friendly welcome and good service from all local shops and businesses. (More)

LOCATION
Where is Port William? Local maps, travel links and directions to Port William. (More)

Part of a world wide event

WORLD

OCEANS

DAY

in

Port William

In 2007, for the first time ever

this event came to

Port William

with displays from

RSPB

SNH

Solway Partnership

D & G Council

and many more

Static Displays, Beach Walks. Meet Larry the Live Lobster

Something for everyone.

And it's free!!

2008 saw a dramatic increase in visitors and in participants and we are now planning the event for 2009, bigger and better than ever before

7th June 2009

World Oceans Day

in

Port William

Flights of Geese coming

in over Luce Bay

xxxxxxxxxx

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 bouy which was found in late 2007

Always something different in Port William, the Scottish Austin 7 Club held a weekend rally here in 2007 and are coming back in 2008