Home Report Stranraer

The history of Stranraer predominantly centres around it being a main ferry port for the region. In fact, it was so widely used it once connected Scotland with Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland. However, the last service was transferred to nearby Cairnryan in November 2011, though the ferry port does still play a role in the local economy, as do related industries, but also tourism as well as farming and agriculture. Many people in the town and nearby are employed in these sectors but a small percentage also commute into Newton Stewart and to Dumfries.

Transport links to Stranraer are well developed as you would expect being a ferry port. The A77 road is within easy reach and allows travel north towards Ayr, Prestwick and Glasgow. The A75 runs east from Stranraer to through Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Annan and Gretna, with onward links to the M6 for travel to Carlisle and further into England. Bus services are extensive with many of the main national coach providers in operation. For instance, National Express offer a service to London, and Scottish Citylink operates services to Edinburgh. Local services to the surrounding area are also frequent daily. The town also has its own railway station on the Glasgow southwestern line. Trains services operate daily offering direct travel to Ayr, Glasgow Central, and Kilmarnock.

In terms of things to do and amenities in Stranraer and the surrounding area, there are plenty of things to see and do. The town centre has many independent shops as well as your usual chain retailers and supermarkets. There are lots of great places to dine out too. The West Pier has been redeveloped in recent years and offers lovely leisurely strolls along the waterfront. On a clear day the islands of Ailsa Craig and Arran can be seen from the north end. The town’s main attraction is the Castle of St. John, a ruined four-storey tower house built around 1500, which sits on a green right in the middle of the main street. There are several eye-catching artworks in the area surrounding the castle too. Stranraer Museum can be found in the old town hall nearby and gives a thorough account of the history of the town and surrounding area.

Just east of Stranraer is Castle Kennedy Gardens, with the castle itself, two lochs, a giant lily pond and an avenue of monkey puzzle trees. Logan Botanic Garden can be found roughly 13 miles south and is home to many exotic ferns and palms and features a beautiful walled garden.

Also worth a particular mention is that Stranraer is the gateway to the Rhinns of Galloway, the hammerhead peninsula south of Stranraer and the most southerly point in Scotland. It is an area of beautiful Scottish scenery, from white sandy beaches with clear blue water, old world buildings and ruins, little settlements, and a whole host of walking and nature spotting opportunities.

In terms of local schooling then, Stranraer has five primary schools: Belmont, Park, Rephad, Sheuchan and St. Joseph’s R.C. The secondary school, Stranraer Academy, is a comprehensive school with around 1,200 pupils, and serves the area of Stranraer, the Rhins, and parts of the Machars, Wigtownshire.