WIGTOWN

district, Dumfries and Galloway region, southwestern Scotland. Created by the reorganization of 1975, it includes the former county of Wigtown and the western part of the former county of Kirkcudbright. The district is in Scotland's extreme southwest. In the western part of the district is the distinctive hammerhead peninsula of The Rhins (Norse: Headlands). The isthmus connecting The Rhins with the mainland is deeply indented by Luce Bay on the south and by Loch Ryan on the north. The central part of Wigtown occupies a southward-jutting peninsula bounded by Luce Bay and Wigtown Bay. The eastern part of the district is hilly. The mild, damp climate favours pastoral rather than crop agriculture. Sheep raising predominates on the northeastern moors. Beef cattle are fattened on lower land, and many pigs are kept. The only significant cash crop is early potatoes. The numerous Ayr dairy cattle support several creameries, the main industry of the area. Sand and gravel are extracted on the isthmus. Stranraer is the seat of the district authority. Area 679 square miles (1,759 square km). Pop. (1995 est.) 29,680.