The See of Whithorn is associated from the late fourth century with Saint Ninian but it is possible a Christian community existed there before his arrival.  There was a continuous succession of bishops in the eighth century.  The See was revived circa 1128 and recognised the metropolitan authority of York until 1355.  It became a suffragan of St Andrew's in 1472 and of Glasgow in 1492.  The See was, in effect, vacant from the death of Andrew Drurie (1541-1558) since his sucessor, Alexander Gordon, conformed at the Reformation in 1560, and it remained vacant until the restoration of the hierarchy in 1878.

Bishop Emeritus Maurice Taylor (bishop 1981-2004)

Bishop Joseph Michael McGee (bishop 1952-1981)

Bishop William Henry Mellon (coadjutor 1935-1943; bishop 1943-1952)

Bishop James William McCarthy (bishop 1914-1943)

Bishop William Turner (bishop 1893-1914)

Bishop John McLachlan (bishop 1878-1893)