Port William

Scotland > South of Scotland > Wigtownshire > Port William

Founded in 1770 by Sir William Maxwell, Port William lies on Luce Bay, on the west coast of The Marchars near Whithorn. The original settlement was known as Killantrae, meaning 'The Church on The Beach,' a name that likely reflected the beginnings of Christianity in Scotland. This was swept away and five years later, in 1776, the new present settlement was built. Nearby, Monreith House, built in 1799, features a wheel-headed cross over seven foot tall and thought to originate from the ancient chapel of Kirk-maiden-in-Fernis.