Elrig

Elrig (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 3 miles (5 km) north of Port William.

Elrig
  • Scottish Gaelic: An Eileirg

Elrig Village
Elrig
Location within Dumfries and Galloway
OS grid referenceNX321477
Council area
Lieutenancy area
CountryScotland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Post townNEWTON STEWART
Postcode districtDG8
PoliceScotland
FireScottish
AmbulanceScottish
UK Parliament
Scottish Parliament

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.


Between 1941-1946 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.

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
Elrig Loch crannog on the right

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 are within Elrig itself, but 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 that 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
IndependentGreum Forster1,330
Scottish Conservative PartyRoberta Tuckfield859.3
SNPSeumas MacLuinge741

Transportation

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

  • 415 Newton Stewart - Machair.[6]

References
  1. Maxwell, Gavin, 1914-1969. The house of Elrig. ISBN 9781906562762. OCLC 941069674.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Transactions and Journal of Proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian Society. Third Series. Volume XI: 147
  3. http://www.whithorn.com/history-local-sites.asp?localsiteID=3
  4. A' Chomhairle
  5. LGBC
  6. Còmhdhail na Comhairle
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