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Things to do in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway

The town of Stranraer has largely been thought of only as a ferry port in recent times.

Agnew Park © Gillian Ferguson
Agnew Park © Gillian Ferguson

However, it used to be part of the Grand tour of Europe and is a wonderful place to visit.

Situated at the head of the beautiful Loch Ryan, Stranraer is the perfect centre for today's active holidaymakers.

Port Logan Harbour © Gillian Ferguson
Port Logan Harbour © Gillian Ferguson

Surrounded by 4 golf courses the town boasts several great attractions:

  • Wonderful sub-tropical gardens
  • Leisure centre
  • Theatre-cum-cinema
  • Sea diving
  • Walks along quiet country lanes
  • Scenery made famous by the television show '2000 acres of Sky'

The local beaches include the wonderful Luce bay - Scotland's biggest - with its miles of golden sands and sand dunes.

The people of the town are very welcoming, many being of Irish descent.

Portpatrick Hotel © Gillian Ferguson
Portpatrick Hotel © Gillian Ferguson

The new marina currently being built is part of the town's return to its heritage - In the 1840s the town had an enormous regatta on the loch. Today, we have water skiing on the summer weekends in the harbour.

There are now a number of events that take place in the town such as:

  • The Garden Festival
  • The Half Marathon
  • The Fishing Festival
  • The Model Aeroplane Club of Scotland's main event of the year
  • Carriage Driving Trials
  • The Summer Agricultural Show
  • The food weekend

alongside many other events.

RNLI Portpatrick
RNLI Portpatrick © Gillian Ferguson

For the children, there is a wonderful park with a boating lake, miniature railway and a special section for the very young.

In summation, I have lived from Bordeaux in the south of France to the North West Highlands of Scotland and I have to say that I find this the most wonderful area in which to live, with its low crime rate, fantastic history and its beautiful scenery.

Description by Philip Miller

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