Diocese of Galloway


The Diocese of Galloway was one of the thirteen dioceses of the pre-1689 Scottish Church. The Diocese was led by the Bishop of Galloway and was centred on Whithorn Cathedral.
In the Middle Ages, there was only one archdeacon, the Archdeacon of Galloway. There are three known deaneries, the deaneries of Desnes, Farines and Rhinns. The deaneries of Farines and Rhinns had been combined by the 16th century.

List of bishops

Early known rural deans

  • Mac Bethad or Máel Bethad, fl. 1165 x 1174
  • James, 1185 x 1197

    List of known deans of Desnes

  • Matthew, 1200 x 1209-1209 x 1222
  • Thomas, fl. 1250
  • John Wallace, fl. 1331
  • Herbert Dunn, fl. 1529.

    List of known deans of Farines

  • William, fl. 1200 x 1209
  • S., fl. 1254-1257

    List of known deans of Rhinns

  • Gilbert, fl. 1200 x 1209

    List of known deans of Farines and Rhinns

  • John MacCraken, fl. 1538-1552
  • Michael Hawthorn, fl. 1559

    List of civil parishes

  1. Anwoth
  2. Balmaclellan
  3. Balmaghie
  4. Balnacross
  5. Borgue
  6. Buittle
  7. Clayshant
  8. Colmonell
  9. Colvend
  10. Crossmichael
  11. Cruggleton
  12. Dalry
  13. Dunrod
  14. Galtway
  15. Gelston
  16. Girthon
  17. Glasserton
  18. Glenluce
  19. Inch
  20. Kells
  21. Kelton
  22. Kirkandrews
  23. Kirkbean
  24. Kirkbride aka Blaiket
  25. Kirkchrist
  26. Kirkcolm
  27. Kirkcormack
  28. Kirkcowan
  29. Kirkcudbright
  30. Kirkdale
  31. Kirkgunzeon
  32. Kirkinner
  33. Kirkmabreck
  34. Kirkmadrine
  35. Kirkmaiden
  36. Kirkpatrick Durham
  37. Kirkpatrick Irongray
  38. Leswalt
  39. Lochrutton
  40. Longcastle
  41. Minigaff
  42. Mochrum
  43. New Abbey aka Kinderloch
  44. Parton
  45. Penninghame
  46. Portpatrick
  47. Rerrick
  48. Senwick
  49. Sorbie
  50. Soulseat
  51. Southwick
  52. Stoneykirk
  53. Terregles
  54. Tongland
  55. Toskerton
  56. Troqueer
  57. Twynholm
  58. Urr
  59. Whithorn
  60. Wigtown