The Machars is a peninsula in the historical county of Wigtownshire in Galloway in the south-west of Scotland. Its name is derived from the Gaelic word Machair meaning low-lying or level land, known as "links" on the east coast of Scotland. Although there are no high peaks in The Machars, it is not flat and would best be described as undulating or rolling. The North Atlantic Drift or Gulf Stream creates a mild climate, and dolphins and basking sharks are frequently seen in the seas.
Luce Bay coastline of The Machars, south of Auchenmalg
A Machars beach at Wigtown.
Machars Coastline looking south from Cruggleton Castle.
The remains of Cruggleton Castle.
Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is one of the historic counties of Scotland, covering an area in the south-west of the country. Until 1975, Wigtownshire was an administrative county used for local government. Since 1975 the area has formed part of Dumfries and Galloway for local government purposes. Wigtownshire continues to be used as a territory for land registration, being a registration county. The historic county is all within the slightly larger Wigtown Area, which is one of the lieutenancy areas of Scotland and was used in local government as the Wigtown District from 1975 to 1996.
Wigtown County Buildings, built 1863.
Stranraer Sheriff Court, built 1874.
Looking across the eastern part of Loch Ryan and over to Luce Bay. In the distance can also be seen the Isle of Man
Ferry berthed at Cairnryan
