A Walk Through Scotland’s National Book Town - Wigtown

A small market town with fewer than 1,000 residents, Scotland’s dedicated National Book Town is located along the coast of southwest Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway. Despite its small size, Wigtown is a true Scottish jewel and a treasure trove for visiting bibliophiles. Not only does the town boast more than a dozen book related businesses, but it also hosts a yearly literary festival for ten days each autumn. Book lovers may also recognise Wigtown from Shaun Bythell’s bestselling book, Diary of a Bookseller, which tells the tale of life running Scotland’s largest second hand bookshop. It’s a humorous and reflective read that gives readers a rare insight into this special corner of the country.

Wigtown has a rich history that begins way before it was named Scotland’s National Book Town in 1997. Having first been established more than 1,000 years ago, Wigtown has lived through rule by the Celts, Anglo Saxons and the Norse, after their invasion in the 9th century. Its unique name is believed to have stemmed from the phrases ‘wic’ and ‘ton’ meaning either ‘village’ and ‘hill’ or ‘bay’ and ‘town’. Wigtown is also known for its dark past, which, in 1685, saw two women drowned for refusing to conform to the established church. Popularly known as the ‘Wigtown Martyrs’, Margaret Maclauchlan and Margaret Wilson’s resting places can still be found in the local churchyard and a monument lies on Windy Hill, which is just a short walk from the town centre.