Rhins of Galloway

A77 Coastal Road,

Cairnryan, Stranraer,

DG9 8QU, Scotland

Telephone 01581 200294

(or +44 1581 200294 outside UK)

 

Email:_All@RhinsofGalloway.co.uk

or frybett@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Transport

 
 

Ferries

Services connecting South West Scotland to Northern Ireland operate throughout the year from Stranraer and Cairnryan, which are just 5 miles, and five minutes apart by car.

P&O operate a ferry service from Cairnryan to Larne. Stena Line currently operate a service from Stranraer to Belfast, but plans to move its operations from Stranraer to Old House Point, at the northern end of Cairnryan by late 2011 (see Local development).

These ferries provide for day trips and short stays to Larne & Belfast. Perfect for a visit to Giants Causeway, or a shopping and sight-seeing day out in Belfast.

See our Ferries page (left) for travel news, timetables, distances etc 

     
     
 

Rail

Stranraer rail station is just 4 miles away, and provides a direct link to Glasgow. Proposals have recently been made for the reinstatement of a railway connecting Cairnryan with Stranraer.

 

Rail enquiries

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/pois/....station.3.htm

 

 

   
 

Road

The A77 connects Stranraer to Glasgow, being mostly a 60mph road for cars, and taking around 2 hours between the two. The scenery is quite breathtaking along the route, passing Ailsa Craig & the magical coastline around Lendalfoot.
 

Bus & Coach enquiries

http://www.citylinkonlinesales.co.uk/CitylinkWeb

 

Bus timetables anywhere in Scotland

http://www.travelinescotland.com..

 

Local bus timetables

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/dumgal/Documents.aspx?letter=T&page=9

 

Road traffic news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/whereilive/travelscotland/

       
 

Air

The nearest major airports within Scotland are Prestwick & Glasgow. There is a small airfield locally at Castle Kennedy.
 

Prestwick International Airport

http://www.gpia.co.uk/

 

Glasgow International Airport

http://www.glasgowairport.com/

 

Castle Kennedy Airfield

http://www.castlekennedyairfield.co.uk/index.htm

       

Weather

The area is warmed by the Gulf Stream, resulting in some quite amazing winter temperatures, and is rarely subject to frost.
 

Stranraer & Cairnryan Weather forecast (next 5 days)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/5day.shtml?world=0377

 

Stranraer & Cairnryan High/low tides for next 7 days

http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/... Stranraer 7 day

     
Attractions The mild climate has given rise to several botanic gardens in the area, including Logan House and Gardens, and Logan Botanic Garden, advertised as Scotland's most exotic garden, both of which are about 25 minutes drive away. Castle Kennedy, with its glorious walled gardens and monkey puzzle avenue is less than 10 minutes away, and the magnificent Culzean Castle and country park is about a 45 minute drive. Please be aware that some local gardens are not open during the October to February period - individual opening dates are usually detailed on their own websites.

With beautiful views the length of the coastline, the area is ideal for walking, bird watching, botany, and general relaxation.  True sandy beaches are close to hand at nearby Luce Bay, with the picturesque fishing village of Portpatrick being a fifteen minute drive away.

Logan fish pond, a fully restored Victorian Fish Larder, in the site of a blow hole which formed during the last ice age, is around 20 minutes away.

Galloway Forest Park, Britains largest forest park at 300 square miles, is only half an hour away.

 

Botanical Gardens

 
 

Gardens open for charity

http://www.gardensofscotland.org

   

http://www.scotlands-garden.org.uk/whatson.html

 

Logan Botanic Gardens

http://www.rbge.org.uk/rbge/web/visiting/lbg.jsp

 

Logan House & Gardens

http://www.mull-of-galloway.co.uk/attractions/logan_house_gdns_enhance.html

 

Castle Kennedy & Gardens

http://www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk  

 

 

http://living.scotsman.com/features/Heritage-schemes.3937984.jp

 

Ardwell Gardens

http://www.mull-of-galloway.co.uk/attractions/ardwell_gardens.html

 

Glenwhan Gardens

http://www.glenwhangardens.co.uk/

 

Dunskey Gardens

http://www.dunskey.com

 

Castle of St John, Stranraer

http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/casstjo.html

   

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~leighann/articles/history/castle.html

 

Stranaer museum

http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/stranmuse.html

 

Logan Fish Pond

http://www.loganfishpond.co.uk

 

Mull of Galloway

http://www.mull-of-galloway.co.uk

http://www.galliecraig.co.uk

 

Ailsa Craig trips

http://www.ailsacraig.org.uk

 

National Trust

http://www.scotlandforyou.co.uk

 

Culzean Castle & Country Park

http://www.culzeanexperience.org/

 

Galloway Forest Park

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/gallowayforestpark

 

Crossraguel Abbey

http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/majorsites/crossraguel.html

 

Bladnoch Distillery

http://www.bladnoch.co.uk/

 

List of South Ayrshire historic buildings

http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/community/Buildings.htm

 

Attractions in the wider Dumfries & Galloway area

http://www.dumfriesmuseum.demon.co.uk/muselst.html

 

Dumfries & Galloway: Summary of places of interest

http://www.cast.org.uk/A-C.htm

 

VisitScotland list of visitor attractions in Dumfries & Galloway

http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/......

     
Activities

Angling and deep sea fishing is available on Loch Ryan, and for golfers, there are courses at nearby Stranraer and Portpatrick . The world famous Turnberry  is just 30 miles (about 40 minutes) towards Ayr.

Stranraer Leisure Centre provides a wealth of activities for old and young alike.

 

Golf

 
 

Golf courses

http://www.stranraer.org/golf/index.html

     
 

Bird watching

http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/website/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=99

   

http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/mullofgalloway/index.asp

   

http://www.fatbirder.com/links_geo/europe/scotland_dumfries_and_galloway.html

   

http://www.the-soc.zenwebhosting.com/docs/dumfries-and-galloway.pdf

 
 
 

Walking

http://www.britishwalks.org..stranraer

     

http://www.southernuplandway.com/

     

http://walking.visitscotland.com/walks/southscotland/

 

Leisure Centre

 

http://www.stranraer.org/ryancentre/

http://www.dgcommunity.net/dgcommunity/miniweb.aspx?id=201

 

Camera Club

 

http://www.stranraercameraclub.org.uk/index.htm

       
Local Events Cairnryan lies at the very edge of Dumfries & Galloway, just outside South Ayrshire. Events in both counties are listed below.

Events are shown in order throughout the entire year. Where dates have yet to be announced, the previous year details show.

 

 

Scottish Snowdrop Festival Sundays starting February 2010

 

http://white.visitscotland.com/..snowdrop_festival/dumfries_and_galloway.aspx

http://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/events?location=2  (Logan)

http://www.dunskey.com/

 

 

Dumfries & Galloway Wildlife Festival

2nd - 18th April 2010

http://www.wildlifefestival.org.uk/

 

 

 

Galloway Garden Festival

(last held May 2008)

http://www.gallowaygardenfestival.org/ (no longer in use)

 

 

Wigtown Spring Book Weekend

1st May 2010

http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/

 

 

Newton Stewart Walking Festival

7th -13th May 2010

http://www.newtonstewartwalkfest.com/

 

 

 

Castle Kennedy Scottish Model

Air Show:

22nd - 23rd May 2010

http://www.saaweb.org.uk/

 

 

 

Castle Kennedy Plant Fair

23rd May 2010

 

 http://www.castlekennedygardens.co.uk

     

 

 

 

Stranraer Half Marathon plus Junior Runs

5th June 2010

http://www.runstranraer.co.uk/

 

 

The Wickerman Festival

23rd - 24th July 2010

http://www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk/

 

 

Stranraer show

28th July 2010

http://www.stranraershow.co.uk

 

 

Ayr Flower Show

6th - 8th August 2010  

http://www.ayrflowershow.org/

 

 

Portpatrick Folk Festival

3rd - 5th September 2010

http://www.portpatrickfolkfestival.org/index.html

 

 

Galloway Golf Classic:

(last held 10th-11th Sept and

13th-14th Sept 2007)     

http://www.gallowaygolfclassic.co.uk/

 

     
 

 

Stranraer 10k road race

6th November 2010

http://www.runstranraer.co.uk/

 

 

Wigtown Book Festival:

24th Sept - 3rd Oct 2010

http://www.wigtownbookfestival.com/

 

 

Stranraer & area events

http://www.stranraer.org/sti_live/events.html

 

 

List of events in Dumfries & Galloway

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7

 

 

List of events in South Ayrshire

http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/news/events.htm

       
Local Sport  
 

Football

http://www.stranraer-mad.co.uk/

     

http://www.stranraerfc.org/

       
Shops & businesses Shopping is available just 5 minutes drive away in Stranraer, with major centres of Ayr and Glasgow being about one and two hours away respectively. A small local store nestles in front of the Homestead Guest House in Cairnryan, opposite the ferry terminal.
 

Shops, businesses & services

http://www.stranraer.org/directory/

       
Local news    
 

Stranraer Free Press

http://www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk/

 

Galloway Gazette

http://www.gallowaygazette.com/

 

Galloway News

http://icdumfries.icnetwork.co.uk/

 

Dumfries & Galloway Standard

http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/

 

Stranraer current & historical  news

http://www.stranraer.org/sti_live/news.html

 

Belfast Telegraph

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/article3245412.ece (this article reports Stena 2008 business increase)

 

Local development Following many years of discussions and various plans and investigations, and then an aborted merger with the P&O port at Cairnryan in October 2007, Stena Line have decided to relocate their services from Stranraer, to Old House point, at the northern end of Cairnryan (shown by red circle on map below).

A new site,  www.lochryanport.co.uk  has been set up to post details of the progress, and  planning applications have been submitted (see news links below). Preliminary work has already begun, with the main work planned to commence after formal granting of a harbour empowerment order (see Decision Letter below). McLaughlin & Harvey will be responsible for the construction of the project. A public meeting was held at Stena Line Offices in Stranraer, on 18th January 2010.

A formal announcement of the £200m investment by Stena Line was made on 10th February 2010 (see BBC news link below). It is reported that work will take 20 months and be completed by Autumn 2011.

The move from Stranraer will result in vacation of a vast area, for which there are multi-million pound proposals for a waterfront development. A breakwater and pontoons have already been established.

There are suggestions for a Maritime Museum & Heritage Centre at the current Stranraer berthing dock for Stena Line.

Stranraer also won the bid for one of the 16 casino licenses to be issued. On 22nd January 2008, Whitehall sources signalled that eight large and eight medium-sized casinos would go ahead. It has yet to be decided whether that opportunity will be taken.

To cater for enhanced ferry traffic flow in the area, there are proposals for road widening in several areas along the A77 & A75.

 

Stena Line Port at Old House Point

 

http://www.lochryanport.co.uk/

 

BBC News 10th Debruary 2010

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/8506750.stm

 

Port technology (work duration)

http://www.porttechnology.org/port_planning_environment/Stena-Line-invests-200-million-in-new-Scottish/5562.html

 

Loch Ryan Port Harbour Decision Letter December 2009

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/topics/transport/ferries-ports-canals/ports-harbours/decision

 

McLaughlin & Harvey Loch Ryan project

http://www.mclaughlinandharvey.com/projects/marine-&-river/

 

Harbour empowerment order (draft) for approval

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/ssi2009/draft/pdf/sdsi_9780111007297_en.pdf

     
   

http://www.nitravelnews.com/news-stories/breaking-news/change-of-course-for-ferry.php

   

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=4182&item=4904

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7912109.stm

   

http://www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk/article.aspx?id=368&Type=F

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7853845.stm

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7817569.stm

   

http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfries-news/local-news-dumfries/local-news/2009/01/07/ferry-plans-flowing-51311-22620168/

   

http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/Stena-seeks--goahead-for.4845489.jp

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/south_of_scotland/7811238.stm

 

 

http://www.stranraer.org/sti_live/2008/news_august_port.html

 

 

http://www.stranraer-freepress.co.uk/article.aspx?id=219&Type=F

 

 

http://www.wmccm.co.uk/WMCCM/WMCCM/Tenders/ViewTender.aspx?itemid=97958

http://www.glenigan.com/news/asp/projectdetailpage.asp?pid=TP99092430428

 

Aborted merge with P&O

http://www.cairnryanportdevelopment.co.uk/ 

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7056213.stm (October 22nd 2007 news regarding plans no longer going ahead)

   

http://www.contractjournal.com/Articles/2007/05/16/54919/hochtief-ties-up-scots-ports-deal.html

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6709213.stm

   

http://www.stranraer.org/sti_live/2007/news_may_stena.html

 

Stranraer Waterfront

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/scotland/south_of_scotland/7715231.stm

   

http://rpu.dumgal.gov.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/committee_reports/018842.pdf

   

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/dumgal/documents.aspx?id=11626

   

http://www.scottish-enterprise.com/....stranraerwaterfront.htm

   

http://www.scottish-enterprise.com//...rhinsrenewal.htm

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7136194.stm(11/12/2007 - 50 berth marina go-ahead)

     
 

Stranraer Maritime Museum & Heritage Centre

http://www.stranraermaritimemuseum.co.uk/

   

http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/news/Letters-to-the-Editor.5114318.jp

 

 

Casino proposal

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=509836&in_page_id=1770&ICO=NEWS&ICL=TOPART (January 2008 news)

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6294950.stm  (July 2007 news)

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/6505781.stm  (March 2007 news)
   

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/dumgal/documents.aspx?id=19512  (Jan 2007 news)

 

 

http://www.culture.gov.uk/cap/proposals/Dunfries.pdf

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/4813618.stm

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/5216820.stm

   

http://www.dgcommunity.net/dgcommunity/documents.aspx?id=14185

   

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/5012306.stm

 

Road projects

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects

   

http://www.nce.co.uk/geotechnical/features/2008/06/a_rock_and_a_fast_place.html

 

Wigtown Local Plan

http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=436&p=0

     
Local  history Lying between Cairnryan & Stranraer, Innermessan is believed to be the lost Roman settlement of Rerigonium, contradicting the popular misconception that the Romans did not extend their reach this far. Cairnryan itself has existed as a quiet fishing village for most of its history, until the decision in late 1940 to create a military port and connecting railway to Stranraer changed its nature forever. The military use ended after the war years, and the military port closed in 1959.  Ferry crossings with P&O began in 1973, with ship-breaking being a major industry in past years.
 

Innernessan history

http://www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/corpus/search/document.php?documentid=1371

 

Cairnryan history

 
 

General

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/cairnryan/cairnryan/index.html

 

General

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=43448&strquery=cairnryan

 

Operation Hardrock,1958

http://public.fotki.com/crossleydd42/operation-hardrock-/

 

A new life for Cairnryan Port (Shipbreaking)

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=336429&rel_no=1

   

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/5008418_X3Wyv#315921383_qUTKQ (photos)

 

Cairnryan and the fight against Nazi Germany

http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=334225&rel_no=1&back_url=

 

Cairnryan military railway

http://www.railscot.co.uk/Cairnryan_Military_Railway/body.htm

   

http://www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/corpus/search/document.php?documentid=1373

     
 

Loch Ryan, history & uses

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ryan

 

Stranraer Parish

http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com..

 

Stranraer History

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/towns/townhistory361.html

   

http://www.shockymap.com/timemachine/ (Photo port 1942)

 

Mull of Galloway

http://www.mull-of-galloway.co.uk/history

 

Town plans

http://www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/map/townplans/stranraer_1.html

 

Stranraer & District Local History Trust

http://www.stranraerhistory.org.uk

 

Stranraer War memorial

http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Wigtownshire/Stranraer.html

 

BBC - a walk through time

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/whereilive/southwestandayrshire/walk/06.shtml

 

BBC - Your place & mine

http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/yourplaceandmine/antrim/A1081748.shtml

 

Larne - Cairnryan ferry operations

http://www.larneferryweb.com/features/2004/old_cairnryan/old_cairnryan.htm

     
 

Mulberry Harbours

http://www.fettes.com/scotsatwar/AZindex/m/mulberryharbours.htm

     

http://www.combinedops.com/Mulberry Harbours.htm

   

http://www.rsars.org.uk/ELIBRARY/gal.pdf

 

History of Local Policing

http://www.dumfriesandgalloway.police.uk/aboutus/history.htm

       
Local maps The following are streetmaps for Cairnryan, and Stranraer town centre
     

http://www.streetmap.co.uk for Cairnryan

     

http://www.streetmap.co.uk for Stranraer

       
Other links These are useful for information about the area
     

http://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk

       
       

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