About the area
| the area | investment |
| local history | property |
| facts | tourism |
| transport | media |
| health services | education |
Wigtownshire, South-West Scotland
A low population density, low property prices, quiet roads, low crime rate, glorious countryside creates an ideal setting for businesses to relocate or start-up here. Rolling hills (the Machars), mountains, rivers, lochs, forests, beaches and a temperate climate.
The region also gives host to a varied range of activities, golf, fishing, gardens. hill walking, riding, mountain biking. We also have the second busiest ferry terminal in the UK to Northern Ireland, a National Book Town, tourist routes, Historical Sites and more.
History
Wigtownshire is located in the extreme southwest of Scotland in Galloway. Wigtown was made a royal burgh in 1469 although a settlement here existed long before this. The burgh is mentioned in a document of 1292. Throughout the eighteenth century Wigtown remained primarily an agricultural town.
Today Wigtown is known as Scotland's "Book Town". The status as a book town was planned, in order to regenerate a very depressed area (the main employers, the creamery and distillery, having closed in the 1990s. The distillery nearby is now reopened and in production to a limited extent. return to top
Property
Although property prices have risen recently check the prices on the links below...One of the lowest
priced areas in the whole United Kingdom. Try: GM Thomson, D&GSPC or A B & A Matthews or G.A.P:
Also check the Wigtown
Book Town site for book related business opportunities. There are currently commercial properties available
for purchase or rental in the district. return to top
About Wigtownshire
Agriculture accounts for over 65% of the area with dairy farming and stock rearing the principle activities.
Woodland coverage accounts for 25%. Other related industries are food processing, agricultural engineering and feedstuffs. Manufacturing is also represented although not on a large scale. There are 4 Primary schools and 1 Secondary in the area. return to top
Transport in southwest Scotland
The A75, is a 'priority route' in the Trans European Network, it transits Galloway and connects the motorway system with the Irish Sea Ferry Ports. A link to the Scottish 'Central Belt' is provided by the A77. Two rail lines link the area to the national network - from Edinburgh and Glasgow to London and the second from Glasgow to Carlisle and the rest of England via Dumfries. A line also runs from Glasgow to Stranraer. return to top
Tourism in Wigtownshire
Tourism is the second most important industry in Galloway in terms of the generation of income and
jobs. There are many major visitor attractions including the site of Scotland's first Christian community
at Whithorn, close by Wigtown, and the Galloway Forest Park to the North. Countryside and leisure activities form a major part of tourist activity. There are 30 Golf Courses in Dumfries and Galloway, many close to Wigtown and district. Due to the temperate climate there are many gardens to view.
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Local Media
There are 3 local newspapers in Galloway. A local radio station covers the whole area. Another 2 radio stations also cover activities in the area. Television services are provided by Border TV and the BBC. Our local newspaper is the Galloway Gazette. Links: Free Press or the Galloway News or Galloway Gazette return to top
Facts
- The population of Dumfries & Galloway is around 147,000
- Low population density
- The largest town is Dumfries, with a population of 32,136
- The business start-up rate is higher than the Scottish average.
- Property prices are the lowest in Scotland
- Each year 800,000 tourists visit the area
- Dumfries & Galloway provides the shortest sea crossing to Ireland from the UK – less than 2 hours to Belfast from Stranraer or Cairnryan.
- The region has 5 harbours along its 320km coastline return to top
Education
- Secondary school results are above the Scottish average and the proportion of school leavers entering higher education is 7% above the Scottish average
- There are 114 primary schools and 16 secondary schools in the region return to top
Health
NHS Dumfries & Galloway provides health care and promotes healthy living for the people of Dumfries & Galloway. The population served is just 146,500, but within a large geographical area of about 2,400 square miles. Dumfries and Galloway stretches from Langholm in the East to Stranraer in the West, and from Kirkconnel and Carsphairn in the North down to the Solway Coast. There are a number of community hospitals throughout the region, and an intermediate unit (including maternity services and medical & surgical beds) in Stranraer return to top.
Inward Investment
Wigtown and district is a location that attracts creative people. The region is particularly appealing to companies for whom a rural location would be an advantage and it has been a profitable location for a number of diverse organisations and those working from home as fast broadband services are fully available return to top.