Bladnoch, Wigtownshire

In 1798 this village consisted of 10 or 12 thatched houses on both sides of the road from Wigtown to the ford of the river.

In the 15th century a charter shows a request from Margaret, Countess of Galloway, for Papal Indulgences to be granted to any who would help in the building of a stone bridge across the Bladnoch.

At the south side of the 1728 stone bridge there was a public house which was known for its heavy drinking, rowdy behaviour, and fights.

In 1867 the paper issued the news of its completion, and in 1868 carried an article reporting the costs of the finished work.

By 1877 Bladnoch was a large village consisting of one and two storey neat slated houses, all of which had been built since the start of the 19th century.

It was a considerable building of two stories high and built of stone, forty persons getting constant work there.

There was a large iron foundry owned by Mr William Anderson, a ship owner who had vessels trading to Glasgow and England.

This foundry (which stood near the present garage in Bladnoch) built boats which were put into the river at the site of the old ford, on the brae.

Another Bladnoch ship owner was Mr Robert Bennett, proprietor of a large bakery in the village.

McClumpha's drapery and tailoring establishment, run by father and son, made fashionable and substantial gentlemen's clothing.

At this time transport consisted of two coaches daily travelling from Newton Stewart to Whithorn and vice versa.

The buildings which were formerly part of Bladnoch Creamery stand on the south side of the river near the old ford.