Though most visitors to Stranraer are just passing through to catch a ferry to Ireland, the town has a lot to offer. With its plum location on the South West coast of Scotland, perhaps more people ought to take some time out from their journey and take it all in. Sitting in the unspoiled sprawl of Dumfries and Galloway, Stranraer sits by Loch Ryan, on headland which could be seen to be staring over the sea to Ireland. It wasn’t until the mid-18th Century that Stranraer got a port, and though it was redeveloped in the 1820s, like many towns – Wemyss Bay, Largs, etc – it was the ar-rival of the railway in 1861 that proved to be the catalyst for its growth. Though it could be considered the gateway to and from Ireland – with connections to Belfast and Larne – Stranraer has some of the most wonderful hinterland on its doorstep, with some excellent locations for camping, fishing, and bird watching. The Mull Of Galloway, with its craggy rocky outcrops, is not only famed for being the setting for the denouement of the Wicker Man, starring Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee, but also for being on of Scotland’s best seafishing hotspots. With an abundance of accommodation throughout the length of the coastline – camping, bed and breakfast, hotels – the area caters for everyone. There are a number of attractions close by: Ardwell Gardens, Saint John’s Castle, Glenluce Abbey, and Logan Botanic gardens, are all within an easy drive of the town. And the sporting arena, Stranraer has its own pro-fessional football team, Stranraer FC. And though the part-timers are now involved in the rough and ready rigours of the Scottish Third Division, no team fancies the trip to Stairs Park when the Scottish Cup comes around. They might find Stranraer a difficult and inhospitable place, but with its many selling points on the windswept west coast, you most certainly won’t.
Attraction
Castle Kennedy Gardens
Castle of St John
Dunskey Garden
Glenwhan Gardens
Logan Botanic Garden
Logan Fish Pond Marine Life Centre
Budget
Abonny Guest House *book online*
Balyett Bed and Breakfast *book online*
Dunskey Guest House *book online*
Stranraer Hostel *book online*
Camping
Club
Dentist
Doctor
Estate Agent
Golf Club
Hostel
Inn
Market
Millenium Centre Giant Car Boot
Stranraer Market
Pub and Bar
Arkhouse Inn
Bar Pazzerello
Bridge Arms
Coachmans
Downshire Arms
Grapes
Port Logan Inn
Pub
Sheuchan Arms
Thistle Inn
Restaurant
Bar Pazzerello
Campbells
Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel
L'Aperitif Restaurant
Merchant's House
North West Castle Hotel
Port Logan Inn
Smugglers Grill
Zaika
School
Belmont Primary School
Park Primary School
Rephad Primary School
Solicitor
Taxi
A 2 B Taxis
D & N Taxis
McLean's Taxis
Radio Taxis
Vet
Sports Clubs
Stranraer Football Club (Football)
Shops
WH Smith Ltd
Hugh Mccormick & Co
Boots
Alex Jack
The Pet Shop
Thompson Ltd
John McNeillie
Peacocks
Places to Stay near Stranraer
North West Castle Hotel (0.15 miles)
Lakeview Guest House (0.15 miles)
Ideally situated on Stranraer seafront, just 5 minutes walk from the town centre, train station and ferry terminal, this family-run guest house with free Wi-Fi is conveniently located for an enjoyable ... More
Abonny Guest House (0.15 miles)
Abonny Guest House is a family bed and breakfast accommodation situated close to Stranraer town centre, ferry, rail and bus terminals.The guest house is totally non-smoking and offers both en-suite ... More
Fernlea Guest House (0.21 miles)
Close to Stranraer’s town centre and ferry port, this charming family-run bed and breakfast is housed in an attractive, stone-built Victorian property, boasting fine original woodwork and ceilings. With just 3 rooms, ... More
Cross Haven Guest House (0.25 miles)
Mick and Gayle Holmes guarantee you a warm welcome on your arrival at Cross Haven. It is a beautiful Victorian villa refurbished by us to a high standard. Formerly a ... More
Marine House Hotel (0.50 miles)
Jim & Fiona Wood welcome you to the Marine House Hotel website. Our well furnished and decorated hotel is in the town of Stranraer, in the southwest of Scotland. We ... More
The Swan Inn (0.66 miles)
Balyett Bed and Breakfast (1.54 miles)
Graded 4 stars by the Scottish Tourist Board and recommended by Lonely Planet, this bed and breakfast accommodation has a magnificent seafront location overlooking the coast where the Stranraer and Cairnryan ferries pass by.
Balyett ... More
Rhins of Galloway (3.50 miles)
Located in charming lawned gardens close to the A77, this hotel style guest house boasts views over Loch Ryan and is just 20 yards from an attractive shingle beach. The guest house ... More
Cairnryan House (4.56 miles)
Situated directly across from the shore of Loch Ryan, Cairnryan House Bed and Breakfast Guest House offers quality accommodation with uninterrupted views across the loch to Wig Bay and Corsewall Point. We are just 500 ... More | visit website
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