Elrig Explained

Official Name:Elrig
Gaelic Name:An Eileirg
Country:Scotland
Unitary Scotland:Dumfries and Galloway
Lieutenancy Scotland:Wigtownshire
Coordinates:54.7961°N -4.6122°W
Os Grid Reference:NX321477
Static Image:Elrig_Village_-_geograph.org.uk_-_555872.jpg
Static Image Caption:Elrig Village
Postcode District:DG8
Postcode Area:DG
Post Town:NEWTON STEWART
Constituency Westminster:Dumfries and Galloway
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Galloway and West Dumfries

Elrig (Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic: An Eileirg, meaning "the deer run") is a clachan or hamlet in the historical county of Wigtownshire in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Located in the Machars peninsula, it is about 3miles north of Port William.

Elrig is the birthplace of author and naturalist Gavin Maxwell, who was born at the House of Elrig.[1] The house was built in 1912 for his parents Aymer and Lady Mary Maxwell by the architects John Stewart & George Paterson. His boyhood is recounted in The House of Elrig, published in 1965. The house and grounds of his family estate are private with no public access. http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=213757

Between 1941 and 1946 Oscar Kokoschka and his wife Olda spent several weeks each summer with the new owner of House of Elrig, fellow refugee, Czech Professor Emil Korner. https://www.kirkcudbrightgalleries.org.uk/artists-footsteps/artist/oskar-kokoschka/

Etymology

The town's name derives from the original Gaelic placename, An Eilreig. The Gaelic language arrived in Galloway in the 7th century and the language was still strong in Wigtownshire in the 18th century.[2]

Ancient monuments

A standing stone, the Carlin Stone, can be found on The Derry, near to the head of Elrig Loch, which is also home to the remains of a crannog. The ruins of a mediaeval chapel can be found at Barhobble, which is near to the House of Elrig. None of the above is within Elrig itself, but all are located relatively near to the settlement in Mochrum Parish.[3]

Politics

The council area of Port William, Dumfries and Galloway represents Barrachan, Port William, Mochrum and Monreith as well as Elrig. 885 people live in the area.[4] There are 18 councillors who run the region and the council meets each month at the Talla MhicShuail in Port William. Elrig is in the 02 electoral district (Port William, Dumfries and Galloway) for the Comhairle na Roinne.[5]

PartyNameVotes
Independent Greum Forster1,330
Scottish Conservative PartyRoberta Tuckfield859.3
Seumas MacLuinge741

Transportation

There is no rail service, but there is a bus service:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Maxwell, Gavin, 1914-1969.. The house of Elrig. 2015. 9781906562762. 941069674.
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140831051704/http://www.dgnhas.org.uk/transonline/SerIII-Vol11.pdf Transactions and Journal of Proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. Third Series. Volume XI: 147
  3. Web site: Local St. Ninian Sites including St. Ninian's Cave, St. Ninian's Chapel and the Witness Cairn. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070812154457/http://www.whithorn.com/history-local-sites.asp?localsiteID=3. 2007-08-12.
  4. Web site: A' Chomhairle . 2017-01-18 . 2020-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201124210146/https://info.dumgal.gov.uk/CommunityCouncils/Home/Detail/23 . dead .
  5. Web site: LGBC . 2017-01-18 . 2019-08-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190820144851/http://www.lgbc-scotland.gov.uk/maps/4thelectoral/dumgal/dumgalindex.asp . dead .
  6. http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/timetables Còmhdhail na Comhairle