Whithorn Story

About the museum

The Whithorn Story is the visitor centre run by the Whithorn Trust, a charity set up in 1986 to study the archaeology and history of Whithorn and its part in the early spread of Christianity in Scotland. The Trust grew out of excavations in 1984 that uncovered remains from the town’s early Christian period. Whithorn is traditionally linked with St Ninian, who is said to have founded the first Christian church there in the late fourth century.

The centre on George Street tells the story of Whithorn from the Iron Age onwards in chronological order, with an upper gallery on the Galloway Iron Age and audio-visual presentations. The themes include St Ninian, the Viking age, the Premonstratensian cathedral priory, pilgrimage and the Reformation. Guided tours take visitors into a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse in the grounds.

The visitor centre also sells the tickets for the nearby Whithorn Priory Museum, which holds early Christian carved stones and is looked after by Historic Environment Scotland, and for the priory crypts. A digital timeline on the Trust’s website comes free with a ticket. Besides running the centre, the Trust carries out research with academic partners, organises community events and promotes local products.

Highlights

• Chronological exhibition on 1,500 years of Whithorn
• Upper gallery on the Galloway Iron Age
• Guided tour of a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse
• Audio-visual presentations
• One ticket also covers the Priory Museum and crypts

Permanent exhibitions

• The Whithorn Story – A chronological exhibition on the development of Whithorn with an upper gallery on the Galloway Iron Age and audio-visual presentations.
• Iron Age roundhouse reconstruction – A guided tour of a reconstructed Iron Age roundhouse in the grounds of the visitor centre.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Whithorn Trust

Admission & discounts

The combined ticket covers the Whithorn Story visitor centre, the Iron Age roundhouse tour, the Whithorn Priory Museum and the priory crypts. Prices are those last published by Historic Environment Scotland (7 to 15-year-olds pay the child price; children under 7 have a free ticket type). Historic Environment Scotland members enter the visitor centre and the museum free of charge but pay extra for the roundhouse (£4.80 adult, £3.80 concession, £2.90 child). Tickets are digital and valid for 12 months.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The visitor centre has an adapted toilet, described as the nearest to the priory and museum. The Trust publishes an access policy statement on its website.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The visitor centre is on George Street (A746) in the centre of Whithorn; the priory and museum are a short walk away on Bruce Street.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

A tearoom serves fresh baked cakes and scones, and there is a shop in the visitor centre.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit