The name of Whithorn is a venerable one in Scottish annals. Here,
according to tradition, St. Ninian, in the beginning of the fifth
century, planted the first seeds of Christianity in Scotland. It is
disputed whether his first oratory, called _Candida Casa_, was
established, after the manner of the early hermits, on a small isle or
peninsula at the point of the promontory which lies between the bays of
Luce and Wigton, about three miles south from Whithorn, or on the spot
where the monastery afterwards arose. There are the ruins of a small
chapel[165] on “The Isle,” and although that structure evidently belongs
to a much later time, it is surmised by Mr. Muir and others that it is
probably the successor of St. Ninian’s first foundation.
It has been mentioned in the Introduction[166] that other indications
exist in this region in the form of ancient sculptured stones, which
point to its early Christianisation, and that after a great school of
religious instruction had been established here, it gradually died out,
and became practically extinct. But under David I. a new religious
fervour arose, and the diocese of _Candida Casa_ was established between
1124 and 1130. This part of Galloway having been long under the sway of
Northumbria, the bishop remained under the jurisdiction of the see of
York till 1472, when the archbishopric of St. Andrews was constituted;
and, in 1491, when Glasgow was made a metropolitan see, the Bishop of
Galloway became Vicar-General.
The priory of Whithorn was founded in the time of David I. by his
friend Fergus, Lord of Galloway. It was colonised by Premonstratensian
Canons, and became the chief church of the diocese of Galloway.
The sanctity of St. Ninian’s shrine was universally recognised, and it
was constantly visited by thousands of pilgrims, many of them the most
distinguished persons in the land. King Robert Bruce made the pilgrimage
to Whithorn in 1329, not long before his death. Other royal personages
also visited the ancient seat. James IV. paid annual visits, and
sometimes went twice in the year. From the _Accounts of the Lord High
Treasurer_ we learn that he made the pilgrimage in state, accompanied by
a large retinue, including his minstrels. The priory naturally became
wealthy, and the church and other buildings were of great extent.
[Illustration: FIG. 876.--Whithorn Priory. Plan of Nave.]
In 1587 the property was, by Act of Parliament, annexed to the Crown;
and in 1606 it was granted by James VI. to the Bishop of Galloway. It
became transferred, in 1641, to the College of Glasgow, and finally, in
1689, it reverted to the Crown.
All the documents which might throw light on the history of the
monastery have, unfortunately, been lost. They are supposed to have
either been destroyed or carried abroad by the canons at the
Reformation. Some distinguished men held the office of prior, amongst
whom were Gavin Dunbar, who was prior in 1514, and afterwards tutor to
James V., and Archbishop of Glasgow; and James Beaton, who also
subsequently became Archbishop of Glasgow and St. Andrews.[167]
Of the extensive buildings of the monastery there remained standing, in
1684, according to Symson, only the steeple and the body of the great
church; all the remainder was in ruins, or had been carried away. The
[Illustration: FIG. 877.--Whithorn Priory. Ground Plan.
1. Foundations of West Tower, which fell at the beginning of last
century.