Welcome to Stranraer

The port of Stranraer is located at the head of Loch Ryan on the south-west coast of Scotland, in the county of Wigtownshire, approximately 417 miles north-west of London and 126 miles south-west of Edinburgh.

The town has a population of around 10,000. Administratively it is within the unitary council region of Dumfries and Galloway which covers an area of approximately 6,426 sq kms and which has a population of around 148,000.

It is the main ferry port between Scotland and Northern Ireland, but it is also popular resort offering good beaches and safe bathing, yachting, fishing and walking - the town is situated on the Southern Upland Way, a walk of 212 miles which links Stranraer and Portpatrick. There are some notable historic buildings including the ruined 16th century Castle of St John, once home to the fanatical Protestant Covenanter Graham of Claverhouse, and North West Castle, a seafront home (now a hotel) built by the Arctic explorer Sir John Ross in the early 19th century. The town has many leisure activities and there are numerous visitor attractions within the area.

The town's history dates from the 16th century with the building of Stranraer Castle. The town was created a Burgh of Barony in 1586 and a Royal Burgh in 1617. A market town in the 17th century, it was in the mid 18th century that Stranraer harbour was built. With the arrival of the railway in 1861, Stranraer became the area's main port.

Economically, the service industry, including tourism, is the largest sector of the local economy, employing around 59% of all workers. Stranraer and nearby Cairnryan are home to StenaLine and P&O ferries which operate regular ferries to and from Ireland.