| Newton Stewart | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Baile Ur nan Stiùbhartach |
|
  Newton Stewart shown within Scotland |
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| Population | 3,573 (2001 Census) |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Lieutenancy area | Wigtown |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Newton Stewart |
| Postcode district | DG8 |
| Dialling code | 01671 |
| Police | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Fire | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| Scottish Parliament | Galloway and Upper Nithsdale |
| UK Parliament | Dumfries and Galloway |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Newton Stewart (Gd: Baile Ur nan Stiùbhartach) is a burgh in Wigtown (formerly the county of Wigtownshire), Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, on the River Cree. Across the river is the town of Minnigaff. Newton Stewart lies on the southern edge of the Galloway Forest Park, and is a base for walkers, some of whom use its youth hostel.
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History
The town was founded in the mid 17th Century by William Stewart, youngest son of the 2nd Earl of Galloway. The "New Town of Stewart" was granted Burgh status by charter from King Charles II allowing a weekly market and two annual fairs to be held. It was on a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Ninian at Whithorn in 1329 that Robert the Bruce forded the river where the present bridge stands. Built in 1813 it replaced the old bridge of 1745 which was destroyed by floods in 1806.
Places of interest
There are numerous nature trails nearby as part of Galloway Forest Park, managed on behalf of the state by Forest Enterprise. There is a local museum at St. John's Church, a doll's house exhibition and a butterfly and tropical plant house nearby.
Trivia
The celebrated horror movie The Wicker Man was filmed almost entirely on location around Newton Stewart in 1972.
In Present Day
Newton Stewart or "Newton" is commonly known as "Gateway to the Galloway Hills. It stands as the main market town for the west of the Wigtownshire area and is an administrative hub for The Machars area to the south with the main area administration being in Stranraer.
