Glasserton

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’’See also HMS Glasserton (minesweeper)’’

‘’’Glasserton’’’ is a parish in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It is located near Whithorn and includes the village of Monrieth, the area called Kirkmaiden and two mansions, namely Glasserton Park and Physgill, together with Woodfall Gardens. It is thought that the name derives from Saxon for “bare hill”.

Whithorn Priory

Remains of the Priory Nave at Whithorn

Legend has it that Saint Ninian, otherwise called Saint Ringan, the first Bishop of Galloway lived for a while in a cave near Physgill by way of penitence. He was he founder of Whithorn Abbey.

Kirkmaiden Church, now a ruin, stood near Monrieth.

The house, park and gardens at Woodfall were built on the orders of Admiral Keith Stewart, the second surviving son of Alexander Stewart, 6th Earl of Galloway who was given the 2000 acre Barony of Glasserton in 1767. He died in 1795, and was succeeded by his son, Rt Hon James Alexander Stewart-Mackenzie, but the house was let and the contents were sold. He sold the house and grounds in 1819 to Stair Hathorn-Stewart at the neighbouring Physgill estate. That which is now called "Woodfall Gardens" was a part of the Glasserton and Physgill estate which was sold some thirty years ago and are now on show to the public.