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

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

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

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

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/......

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

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

Football

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

http://www.stranraerfc.org/

Shops, businesses & services

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

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)

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://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

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

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

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

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