Wigtown, Scotland's National Booktown

The name Wigtown comes from the Germanic language 'Town or port on the bay', immensely appropriate given the town position overlooking Wigtown Bay and the first crossing over the River Cree which made it a place of strategic and commercial importance. Recognised in 1341 as the 'chief town' of the Earldom and county of Wigtown its burgh charter dates back to probably that time rather than the first written record of 1457.

Wigtown benefited commercially from its harbour - busy with coastal rather than foreign trade and its fairs and markets made it the main service town to the local agricultural community. It also levied dues on the movement of livestock and wool crossing the Cree - exercised through and into the 19th century and was even applied to livestock travelling by rail to Stranraer. However, the growth in rail transportation and the development of the combustion engine relegated Wigtown to the periphery of the communications network and its trade and prosperity suffered. During the 20th century it also ceased to be the centre of administration and justice and by the 80's and early 90's respectively it had also lost its two key employers - the Co-operative Creamery and Bladnoch Distillery. These were difficult times for this proud little town and a new idea was desperately required as it headed towards the end of the century and into the new millennium.

Wigtown's new position as Scotland's National Book Town is therefore a key factor in restoring some of that former glory and economic activity and now six years into its life there are numerous promising signs of recovery with ongoing inward investment - (public and private sector) and visitor numbers on the increase once again.

In 2004 we were host to the very successful International Festival of Book Towns and our annual Literary Festival continued to reach for new heights as it moved from its traditional three to ten days. The coming year (2005) promises to be equally exciting and of course come with our traditional warm welcome.

Contact

Mr John Robertson

County Buildings
Wigtown
Dumfries & Galloway
DG8 9JH
Scotland

Tel: +44 (1988) 402036
Fax: +44 (1988) 402506
E-Mail: info@wigtown/booktown.co.uk
WWW: http://www.wigtown-booktown.co.uk