FISHING

Two shops (Vickers newsagents and B. Perks and Sons, Ironmongers) in Whithorn offer tackle, bait (and advice) to the fisherman. It is a popular local hobby, with young and old alike. Coastal and sea fishing are particularly popular in the South Machars, and boats may be chartered at the Isle of Whithorn.

Sea fishing, coarse fishing and salmon and trout fishing are popular with local residents and visitors alike.

Salmon and trout are caught mainly in the River Bladnoch in the north Machars and in the Cree north of Newton Stewart, and also in some lochs and ponds, some of which are stocked for the purpose.

Coarse fishing is available at the White Loch of Myrton (permits from Monreith House), which also has some wheelchair platforms.

Experienced fishermen try for sea bass from the shore at Port Castle Bay, by St. Ninian's Cave, and others fish randomly from rocks along the rugged coastline - at Burrowhead, the Isle of Whithorn, or along the Wigtown Bay coastline.

It is also possible to hire a boat or to join a party, leaving from the Isle of Whithorn. Information about boat hire is posted on boards at the Steam Packet Inn, Isle of Whithorn. Any sea angling party will enjoy magnificent views of the coastline of the Machars, quite invisible from the shore and see the smugglers' caves on the coastline.