Stranraer

The ferry port and holiday resort of Stranraer is the largest settlement in south west Scotland and lies sheltered at the head of Loch Ryan on the eastern side of the Rhins of Galloway peninsula. It was created a Burgh of Barony in 1596 and a Royal Burgh in 1617, developing as a market town and the principal trading centre in western Galloway. It became the principal ferry port for links to Larne and Belfast Ireland. In recent history, some of the Irish ferry business has been switched to Cairnryan, a little further down loch Ryan. Nevertheless, the port is still busy and has routes to Belfast and Larne. You can get to the Giants Causeway and the Mountains of Mourne from here, for example. On the west side of Stranraer’s natural harbour is the fishing quay, beyond which is Clayhole Bank which includes a swimming and boating lake. The old Castle of St John, associated with Graham of Claverhouse in 1632, stands at the centre of the bustling town and now houses a museum. North West Castle (previously a residence of the 19th century Arctic explorer Sir John Ross) is now a hotel and has its own curling rink.

Away from the port are hotels and guesthouses, camping and caravan sites. There are gardens and parks, and a wonderful golf course at Creachmore, which is used for championship matches. Stranraer is the location for the Galloway Games, with events traditionally associated with the Highlands, and there are agricultural and horticultural shows. Visitors are also welcome at the two bowling greens in the town.

For those who enjoy a garden walk, three famous gardens outside the town are within easy reach and are open to the public: Castle Kennedy, Glenwhan, an idyllic and unique plantsman's twelve-acre garden open daily to the public from April to October with a licensed tearoom and plant centre, and Logan, where the most unexpected plants, such as New Zealand cabbage palms and Brazilian gunneras with seven foot long leaves, thrive due to the influence of the Gulf Stream passing less than a mile offshore.