Whithorn Priory

The priory was founded about the middle of the 12th century by Fergus, the Lord of Galloway, during the reign of King David I of Scotland, initially for a community of Augustinian canons regular.

[2] The canons of Whithorn formed the cathedral chapter of the Diocese of Galloway, which was re-established about the same time, also by Fergus, the old succession of bishops having died out in the 8th or 9th centuries.

Whithorn was long a noted place of pilgrimage, owing to its connection with the venerated memory of Saint Ninian.

The whole property of the priory was vested in the Crown by the annexation act of 1587, and was granted in 1606 by King James VI to the occupant of the See of Galloway when he established Episcopalianism in Scotland that year.

The priory church, which served also as the cathedral of the diocese, had a long nave without aisles, a choir of about the same length, and a lady chapel beyond.