Whithorn Priory, one of Scotland’s most sacred sites, was founded by St. Ninian in 397 as the first Christian settlement north of Hadrian’s Wall. Born in Galloway, St. Ninian traveled to Rome as a young man and was said to be friends with St. Martin of Tours. Over time, the priory became a popular place of pilgrimage. Around 1307, Whithorn was made an ecclesiastical burgh and completely rebuilt as a cathedral.

Mary, Queen of Scots visited in 1563 as had her father, James V, and her grandfather, James IV who used to visit every year. During the reformation, in 1581, pilgrimage was banned in Scotland