GARLIESTON – EMERGENCE OF A VILLAGE – David Kirkwood
David Kirkwood was born in Garlieston where he spent his childhood years.
He left the area in 1956 to follow a career in the police service with
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, retiring in 1990 with the rank of
Superintendent and Commander of the Galloway Division of the force.
Following a brief spell in retirement, David went into business as a
consultant in the maritime and aviation security field, which he pursued
until 2005. His love of the village where he had spent his childhood years
had not deserted him and during the past four years he has researched the
history of the Garlieston area, encompassing the old parishes of
Kirkmadryne and Cruggleton, resulting in the publication of his book:
“Garlieston – Emergence of a Village”.
PREHISTORIC SETTLEMENT IN THE
WIGTOWNSHIRE MOORS - Dr Jane Murray
Dr Murray is Chairman of the
Whithorn Trust and is a commissioner of the Royal Commission on Ancient
Historical Monuments of Scotland. She has been keenly interested in the
archaeology of the Wigtownshire moors and wrote her dissertation on the subject
as a mature student.
100 YEARS OF STRANRAER GOLF
CLUB - James Blair, Andrew Hannay and James Sproule
This book was published to mark the club's
centenary, celebrated in 2005. The first ninety years, covering the foundation
of the club, the search for a course, its enlargement, the building of a
clubhouse. the loss of both to wartime needs and the subsequent move to a new
course and home are all carefully and authoritatively traced by Messrs Blair and
Hannay, long standing members, and it was to their ninety-year story that Mr
Sproule, another distinguished local golfer, was asked by the club to add the
final ten-year chapter to round off a century of golf in the town.
AIRCREW IN WARTIME - Norman Fidler
Norman spent his boyhood in
Stranraer where he attended Stranraer High School. Having joined the Air
Training Corps while at school, his first flight as a boy was over Lochryan. At
age 19 Norman was called up to join the RAF and the book relates his wartime
experiences. On demobilisation he joined the family furniture business in
Stranraer then he eventually owned a furniture shop in Newton Stewart until his
retirement.
EVERY BEACH A PORT -
Bill McCormack
Bill McCormack began his working career in the
Clydesdale Bank, Stranraer, before being called to wartime service. On
demobilisation he agreed to join the family firm of William McCormack and Sons
Ltd., the third generation to join the family firm which served Wigtownshire
well from 1871 until 1986, providing agricultural, building and coal supplies
and a busy shipping agency. He enjoyed a leisurely retirement following his
interests in music, painting and writing.
Unfortunately Bill died in
2006.
AULD LANG
SYNE IN THE RHINS OF GALLOWAY - Prof. Charles
McNeil
Professor
McNeil, a specialist in childhood ailments, was born in Stranraer in 1881. While his family moved to Edinburgh when he was five, from the summer of 1893
for several years Charles and his brother spent school holidays at Sandmill Farm, Sandhead. In 1955 he felt the urge to put on record his memories of childhood
days and later working holidays spent in the Rhins of Galloway. These were
published in book form in the Free Press. This new edition has been edited by
the Trust Chairman, Donnie Nelson, who has added explanatory notes and early
photographs.
PLACE-NAMES IN THE RHINNS OF
GALLOWAY AND LUCE VALLEY - John MacQueen
John 'Jack' MacQueen spent much
of his working life at Edinburgh University where he eventually became Professor
of Scottish Literature and Oral Tradition, and Director of the School of
Scottish Studies. He has written or edited a number of books and articles,
mainly on Scottish subjects. For nearly forty years he has had a house in the
Rhinns, where he now lives permanently.
THE RHINNS' FORGOTTEN AIR
DISASTER - Sandy Rankin
(NOW OUT OF PRINT)
Sandy Rankin was brought up in
Portpatrick before moving to Central Scotland as a youth. He followed a career
with Strathclyde Police. Over the years he has spent much of his leisure time in
Portpatrick, has an abiding interest in the lifeboat service and learned as a
schoolboy of the air crash from his grandfather and uncle, crew members of the
lifeboat. Over many years he researched the story of the disaster and the people
involved.
PORTPATRICK TO DONAGHADEE - Fraser MacHaffie (NOW OUT OF PRINT)
His interest in coastal shipping started while he was working on the Clyde
steamers during his undergraduate days. This led to his continuing interest in
researching the history of shipping on the west coast of Scotland and this is
his latest book. Fraser MacHaffie is now Professor of Accounting and Management
at Marietta College in Ohio, USA.
DON'T PLAGUE THE FERRYMAN -
Trevor Boult (NOW OUT OF PRINT)
Trevor Boult, a Geordie, experienced the thrill of his early crossings of the
North Channel as a lad going to visit the family farm in Antrim. He now relates
the crossing as a ship's officer, telling us the inside story.
THE ROYAL BURGH OF STRANRAER - Johnny Boyd
Born in Newark, New Jersey, Johnny's Scottish parents returned to Glasgow within
a few years. After commencing his career with the Glasgow Evening Citizen, he
came to Stranraer in the early 1930s. His association with the Free Press lasted
nearly 50 years, 18 as Editor, and he used his knowledge of the area to the full
in compiling the first part of the History of Stranraer. The final part of the
book was written after Johnny's death by Jack Hunter, Donnie Nelson and
Christine Wilson, all members of the Trust.
A PEEP AT STRANRAER'S
PAST - Donnie Nelson
Donnie Nelson who was born and educated in Stranraer spent 40 years of his
working life with the Stranraer and
Wigtownshire Free Press acting as part time reporter and contributor to the
paper as well as various other duties. For almost 20 years he produced a weekly
column which illustrated the history of people and places in Stranraer and the
Rhins of Galloway. He served as a local Councillor for many years and in 1997
was appointed M.B.E. for services to housing. Mr Nelson was the first active
Chairman of Stranraer and District Local History Trust.
THE CAIRNRYAN MILITARY RAILWAY
- Bill Gill
(NOW OUT OF PRINT)
Bill Gill came to Stranraer in the early 1960s as principal teacher of History
at the High School later Stranraer Academy. His interests included walking and a
practical interest in the research of local history which were combined to
produce this book. Unfortunately Bill died before his book was published.
THE LOSS OF THE 'PRINCESS
VICTORIA' / 'THE LOST TOWN OF INNERMESSAN' / 'A FLIGHT TOO FAR: THE
STORY OF ELSIE MACKAY OF GLENAPP' -
Jack Hunter
Jack Hunter who is a Gallovidian by birth spent most of his teaching career
as Head of English at Stranraer High School, later Stranraer Academy. For many
years he lectured on Galloway literature and history for Glasgow University
Department of Adult and Continuing Education. Mr Hunter is an author of several
publications on local history.
STRANRAER IN WORLD WAR
TWO - Archie Bell
Archie Bell was born and educated in Stranraer and after
completing his National Service he entered the family butchery and bakery
business in the town. Following his retiral from the business he was for seven
years a Business Advisor with Dumfries and Galloway Enterprise Company. Involved
in many local organisations, he has been Commodore of Loch Ryan Sailing Club,
President of Stranraer Rotary Club and President of Wigtownshire Antiquarian
Society.
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