Ebook: Archaeological Investigations at Fey Field, Whithorn

In 1995-6 York Archaeological Trust undertook two seasons of excavation at Fey Field Whithorn, directed by A. Clarke. The excavations uncovered the remains that were largely of 6th to 10th century date and related to the important early-medieval monastery at the site.

Whithorn in Galloway, south-western Scotland, is a site of considerable importance for the history of Christianity within Scotland. Writing in the early 8th century, the Northumbrian monk Bede linked Whithorn with a British bishop named Ninian who was credited with preaching to people in southern Scotland and converting them to Christianity at a date 'long before' the arrival of St Columba's mission in 563. According to Bede, Whithorn was Ninian’s episcopal seat, where he constructed a stone church, and the place of his burial.

Today, the visitor can see the remains of a later medieval Premonstratensian Abbey church and its crypts, and a display of early medieval and medieval grave markers and other stonework from the site, both curated by Historic Scotland, and an exhibition introducing the history and archaeology of Whithorn, presented by The Whithorn Trust at The Whithorn Story Visitor Centre.