logo image

Kirkcudbright

RS Home

Kirkcudbright Town is in Dumfries & Galloway southwest Scotland, 48 miles east of Stranraer, 27 miles southwest of Dumfries.

Kirkcudbright attracts visitors for its connections to Art, MacLellan's Castle, Broughton House museum, Tolbooth art centre, Stewartry Museum of local life, and a Wildlife Park. There is a good selection of Hotels and Pubs for drinks and meals.

The Town was also used for Filming The Wicker Man horror film with Britt Eckland, Christopher Lee, and Edward Woodward.

For Images on Mobile swipe right

Kirkcudbright Road Map

Images Hotels Self Catering
Shops B&Bs Holiday Parks
Website Golf Restaurants

Click On Map for area Attractions

Camping & Touring Parks in area

Silvercraigs Caravan and Camping site is next to the Town.

The image top is of Kirkcudbright Bridge built in 1926 over the River Dee.

The Harbour is by the Bridge with a number Fishing Vessels operating, and the Marina is a short distance south of the Harbour for Pleasure Vessels. Kirkcudbright Bay is about 4 miles long, leading into the Solway Firth and Irish Sea.

The Visitor Centre is at the large car park by the Harbour, with a Wooden Statue of a Mother and Child of Lost Ones at Sea, created by local artist Charlie Easterfield in 1994.

There have been two Fishing Tragedies from the Town, the Mhari-L Trawler lost with all 5 hands in 1995, and the Solway Harvester lost with all 7 hands in 2000.

The colourfull Bathing Huts and Metal Sculptures are also at the Harbour.

Harbour Cottage Gallery is next to the Harbour, established in 1957. The Cottage appeared in two scenes in the 1973 horror film The Wicker Man starring Edward Woodward, Britt Ekland, and Christopher Lee. Some other parts of the Town featured in the Film, and a number of other locations in the area.

The image right is looking down St Cuthbert Street by the Harbour towards MacLellan's Castle. This is a 1500s Castle built for the MacLellan family. The impressive War Memorial is in front of the Castle.

The Castle remains were taken over by Historic Scotland in 1912 to serve as a Tourist Attraction.

Broughton House is around from the rear of the Castle on the L shaped High Street. This is a 1700s Town House, home of the Scottish artist E. A. Hornel from 1901 till he died in 1933.

The House has been run as a Tourist Attraction by the National Trust for Scotland since 1950 with Period Rooms, Art Gallery, and Japanese influenced Gardens.

The Marina at Kirkcudbright is a short walk south of the Harbour, at the rear of Broughton House. Kirkcudbright Bay is about 4 miles long, creating a scenic and normally calm area for Pleasure Craft.

The Masonic Arms is on Castle Street by the Castle, serving drinks and meals.

The Tolbooth Art Centre is on the corner of the L shaped High Street, in a building from 1629, originally used as a Prison.

The Centre tells the story in a short Film of the many Artists to visit the Town, and holds the Council’s Painting collection with works by S.J. Peploe, Charles Oppenheimer, Jessie M. King, Lena Alexander, Robert Sivell and more.

The Clock on the east side, as seen right, is not in the centre of the building. The Old Town used to have a Wall around and Large Gate at the top of the High Street, so the Town could be locked each night at 1800, protection from marauders.

Buildings on the High Street partially covered the Tolbooth, so the Clock was placed where it could be seen from the High Street Gate.

The Old Town Jail and Court is also on the High Street close to the Tolbooth. This Building was completed in 1814. In 2016, the Old Town Jail was sold to be converted to Flats and Offices.

The Selkirk Arms Hotel is on the High Street with a 17 Rooms, Restaurant and Bar with Bistro.

The Stewartry Museum is on St Mary Street. The Museum opened in 1893 covering the Human and Natural History of the Area. Also included are Family History information services, Photographic, Archive collections, and a Shop.

The Kirkcudbright Parish Church is also on St Mary Street, built in 1838. This is the largest Church in the Town with a scenic Park on its north side.

Kirkcudbright Town Hall is also on St Mary Street, completed in 1879. The hall hosts a number of Art Exhibitions throughout the year, it was converted in 2017 to make it suitable for more Art displays.

The Kirkcudbright Outdoor Bowling Green is next to the Town Hall.

St Mary Street is now the main street running through the Town from north to south, much wider than other streets in the older part of Town such as the High Street and Castle Street.

Kirkcudbright History

600s? - the first Church is built in the area in honour of St Cuthbert who is thought to have visited the area in the 600s. The comunity grew around the Church and Harbour.

875 - Monks of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne had to flee during raids by the Norse, taking with them the bones of St Cuthbert. One of the places they sought sanctuary was Kirkcudbright.

1100s - a Castle is built a short distance south of the Harbour.

1291 - the name Kirkcutbrithe was recorded, thought to be derived from the Chapel of Cuthbert.

1369 - Kirkcudbright became a Burgh under the Douglas Lords of Galloway

1430s - Kirkcudbright is known as a top Wool producer with the industry lasting to the 1800s.

Industries in the Town over the years have been Woollen Mills, Gloves, Shoes, Soap, Candles and Snuff.

1449 - Greyfriars Monastery is built where MacLellan's Castle is today.

1455 - the Town was made a Royal Burgh by James II.

1500s - MacLellan's Castle is built with stone from the Old Castle and Monestary, only the small Chapel is left standing next to the Castle, now known as Greyfriars Church.

1629 - the Tolbooth is completed.

1700s - Broughton House is completed along with a number of other fine Town Houses on the High Street and Castle Street.

1814 - the Old Town Jail is completed.

1838 - Kirkcudbright Parish Church is completed.

1860s - an Iron Bridge is built over the River Dee replacing Ferries.

1864 - the Railway reached Kirkcudbright

1995 - Kirkcudbright Marina is opened.

1879 - the Town Hall is completed.

1926 - the present day Bridge is completed over the River Dee.

1965 - the Railway Station closed.

1973 - the Horror Film The Wicker Man is shot in & around the Town.

 
Area Click On Map RS Home





.



Kirkcudbright Images
.