Garlieston

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Garlieston
Location

OS grid reference:	NX485465
Statistics
Population:	unknown (2001 Census)

Administration
Council area:	Dumfries & Galloway
Constituent country:	Scotland
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary
Lieutenancy area:	Wigtown
Former county:	Wigtownshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	NEWTON STEWART
Postal district:	DG8
Dialling code:	01988
Politics
Scottish Parliament:	Dumfries & Galloway
UK Parliament:	Dumfries & Galloway
European Parliament:	Scotland

Garlieston is a small planned coastal village in south west Scotland founded circa 1790 by Lord Garlies.

[edit] Location & History

The village lies 5 miles northwest of Whithorn and a few miles north of Cruggleton Castle which was abandoned in the 17th centaury. The large country house of Galloway House is situated on the edge of the village, with the settlement being planned along Georgian lines. The port became an important import point for goods being brought into the Machars throughout the 19th and early 20th centaury. In 1876 the railway system was extended to the settlement and goods flowed regularly through the port, with the maritime industries of shipbuilding and associated activities taking place in the village.

Location of Garlieston in SW Scotland

[edit] Second World War

During the second world war the village became part of the 'most secret' Mulberry Harbour project. The profile of the beach and sea bed at Garlieston was similar to that of the proposed harbour points in Normandy, and that, coupled with the very remote nature of the locale, led to Garlieston and its surrounding area being selected as the development region for the harbours. Prototypes of the harbours were constructed at Conwy in North Wales and then transported and positioned in Wigtown bay, where they were tested and modified through 1943 & 1944. A fixed pierhead from the harbours could be seen in Cruggleton (or Rigg) Bay until it was destroyed by a storm on Sunday 12 March 2006.

[edit] Currently

Today the village is a quiet sleepy place, with much of the local industry and port activity having ceased over the past 50 years. A bowling green sits on the waterfront and the village caravan site attracts tourists, with the harbour providing berthing facilities for those who are touring by boat.