<< Our Photo Pages >> Whithorn Museum - Museum in Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway
Submitted by cosmic on Saturday, 04 May 2013 Page Views: 13141
MuseumsSite Name: Whithorn Museum Alternative Name: Whithorn Priory, Whithorn Visitor CentreCountry: Scotland County: Dumfries and Galloway Type: Museum
Nearest Town: Whithorn
Map Ref: NX44494028
Latitude: 54.733372N Longitude: 4.416739W
Condition:
5 | Perfect |
4 | Almost Perfect |
3 | Reasonable but with some damage |
2 | Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site |
1 | Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks |
0 | No data. |
-1 | Completely destroyed |
5 | Superb |
4 | Good |
3 | Ordinary |
2 | Not Good |
1 | Awful |
0 | No data. |
5 | Can be driven to, probably with disabled access |
4 | Short walk on a footpath |
3 | Requiring a bit more of a walk |
2 | A long walk |
1 | In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find |
0 | No data. |
5 | co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates |
4 | co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map |
3 | co-ordinates scaled from a bad map |
2 | co-ordinates of the nearest village |
1 | co-ordinates of the nearest town |
0 | no data |
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I have visited· I would like to visit
Anne T visited on 18th Jun 2019 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 4 Whithorn Visitor Centre, Museum, Priory and Roundhouse: I can honestly say that I have never felt so welcomed anywhere as being here as a visitor to Whithorn. From the moment we stepped into the Visitor Centre café for refreshments before buying our tickets, then looking around the round house, museum and priory, the staff were attentive, welcoming and made sure we were well looked after.
The café had good food at very reasonable prices, and the prices to get into the museum and priory were well below those we'd expected. A small guided tour had just started, but as we wanted to wander round on our own, we elected not to join. However, round at the museum, we learned that we were only able to get into the round house with a guide present, so we were very kindly let into the round house grounds to join the tour for ten minutes or so.
The interior of the round house was much, much bigger and far more practical than I'd ever imagined. The guide spoke with great knowledge about day-to-day living within this space and we had chance to look around the outside at the various tools and farming methods they were using.
We left to go and explore the museum and I was stunned to see the collection of over 60 early Christian stones displayed in this space. I had previously checked with the Whithorn Trust that is was OK to take photographs of the stones for my walk/photo journal, and was told this was OK if it was 'for personal use'. So armed with my camera, I double checked with the guide. The knowledge of the staff member (Ruaridh) and the time he took to talk to us was extraordinary.
After walking round the Priory and trying to recreate some of the photos in the guide book, we returned to the museum for another wander round, but it was closing at 5pm, so we needed to be swift. The one downside was that there was no guide book describing each of the stones, but I was allowed to use the Museum Interactive Display Screen, and to photograph the majority of the screens (a good job, as trying to find the stones on Canmore has proved a little tricky, as many of their entries don't have photographs).
We had time to go back to the Visitor Centre to buy some postcards, and I had my eye on an expensive reference book. With only a few moments to spare before closing, I decided not to buy it, but on getting home regretted my decision. On emailling the team the next day, they organised for me to buy the book, pay over the phone, and arranged for postage. Great customer service!
I also asked for, and received permission, to post a visit report and photographs to the Portal.
I just wish I'd had a whole day to spend here, and would love to return. 150/100 for visitor experience.
coin have visited here
For hundreds of years, pilgrims heading to Whithorn crossed a landscape dotted with ancient churches and ornately carved stone crosses. Such sculpted stones included grave markers of early Christians who lived through the centuries of conflict after the collapse of Roman authority. Whithorn Museum contains a collection of over 60 of these stones dating from the tenth and eleventh century, which are described as "the most important collection of carved and inscribed Christian stones in Scotland (if not Europe)".
In 2004, most of the complete and fragmentary stones were moved to Historic Scotland’s conservation centre for cleaning and recording. The museum was re-opened in Easter 2005, following a total refurbishment.
The project was carried out in partnership with The Whithorn Trust, a charitable organisation set up to research and interpret the history of Whithorn and The Heritage Lottery Fund
Before the refurbishment, the stones were displayed in rows, some partly embedded in concrete, in a building created to protect them in the early twentieth century. The new museum uses the latest methods to support the stones without damaging them and ensures that visitors can move round them and view all their significant markings.
Today, visitors can start at the Whithorn Visitor Centre, which includes a cafe and exhibition, is at 45-47 George Street, Whithorn, DG8 8NS. The mediaeval Priory, Round House and Museum are 'hidden from view' through an archway and gatehouse near the Visitor Centre. There is a small charge (concessions available for children, OAPs and families. Under 5's have free entrance, and there are discounts for pre-booked groups.
Opening times are from 10.30am until 5.00pm from 1st April (or Easter, whichever is earliest) until 31st October each year.
Tickets can be purchased from the Visitor Centre or Museum and prices include Audio Visual Films, Through the Ages Exhibition, Discovery Centre (by appointment), Dig Site and Iron Age Roundhouse (by pre-booked guided tour), the Priory Ruins, the Museum and the Ninian Gallery.
More details at the The Whithorn Trust.
Note: Please note that the stones that were previously in St Ninian's Cave have now been brought to the museum for safe keeping.
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95m SW 222° Peter Hill Roundhouse (Whithorn)* Ancient Village or Settlement (NX4442440212)
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4.8km SW 231° Glasserton Mains* Rock Art (NX40613737)
4.9km SSW 205° St Ninian's Cave (Isle of Whithorn)* Early Christian Sculptured Stone (NX42243595)
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5.5km NNE 12° Broughton Mains* Rock Art (NX45814565)
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7.4km W 276° Blairbuy 1* Rock Art (NX371413)
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7.6km NNW 327° Dowalton Crannogs* Crannog (NX40614681)
7.7km W 262° Boden Walls Well Holy Well or Sacred Spring (NX36773947)
7.9km W 281° Blairbuy 4 Rock Art (NX368420)
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