Wigtown, Dominican Friary

NX45NW 5 43582 55449 from 436 555 to 435 554

(NX 43582 55449) Site of (NAT)

Friary (NR) (Dominican) (NAT)

OS 6" map (1957)

This Dominican Friary, dedicated to the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is said to have been founded in 1267 - a date which is probable, but not certain. It was certainly in existence by 1296. The revenues were probably turned over to the burgh at the Reformation, but this is not certain since the last record of it is in 1400.

D E Easson 1957

The building, of which no trace now remains, stood on a small eminence near the old mouth of the river Bladenoch, in an oblong field of 5-6 acres called the Friarland, now converted to an orchard, known as Croft-an-righ.

A portion of the walls was extant in 1818. (At that time tan pits were on the ground). Its main portion was a square, enclosing c. 1/2 acre. The walls were built of rough stone and lime. The principal entrance was from the N, by a large arched gate, over which, it is said, hung the convent bell. The place where the arch stood, though nothing of it now remains, was called the Bell Yett.

The churchyard lay to the E, close by the walks, where as well as on the N, human bones have been dug up from time to time.

The Monk Hill lies directly W of the monastery, until the end of the 18th century, there were on it a small house and garden which were thought to have been the abbot's residence.

P H M'Kerlie 1870

There is no indication of the friary at the published site which falls on steeply sloping ground. A house named Croft-an-Righ stands at NX 4363 5559, on raised ground, above an old orchard, and the tan pits are at NX 4365 5552 at the foot of a steep slope. There is no trace of any earlier walling.

It would seem from the above evidence that the friary was centred on the area NX 436 555 but local informants suggest that it may have been at NX 435 554.

Visited by OS (RD) 17 September 1970

NX 436 553 Geophysical surveys were carried out to investigate the Dominican Friary. Strong anomalies associated with field drains and a modern sewer complicated interpretation, but convincing evidence was found for a set of ditches and walls/paths for possible gardens or enclosures. It is conjectured that some of these may be associated with the boundaries of a cemetery within which concentrations of bone and ceramic material have been found as a result of recent ploughing. Small-scale wall footings for two buildings were also detected.

Report lodged with Dumfries and Galloway SMR and the NMRS.

Sponsors: Wigtownshire Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Awards for All.

M Noel 2003.

Dominican Friary

(site of) [NAT]

OS (GIS) MasterMap, July 2009.