//
Town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Photo: Rosser1954, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stranraer is a town in Dumfries and Galloway near the tip of southwest Scotland. It's a port with ferries to Northern Ireland, though nowadays these all sail from Cairnryan a few miles north. The town itself (population 9700 in 2022) has little of interest, but it's a good base for exploring the scenic Rhins of Galloway, the peninsula stretching north and south of Stranraer. The north and central part of the Rhins are described here.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Stranraer Museum is in the Old Town Hall, built 1776. Discover Wigtownshire's history and that of Stranraer's own Polar explorers. Archaeology, dairy and agriculture feature heavily, with changing temporary exhibitions.
A medieval tower house, built around 1510, used as a military garrison in the 1670s and converted to a jail in the 1820s. Videos and reconstructions tell the sometimes grizzly story of the house. Great views from the top of the tower.
Beautiful gardens open year round, created on the moor. Dogs welcome on lead.
A ruin, established in 1192 and disestablished in 1602, off A75 ten miles east of town. In May 2025 access is restricted due to masonry inspections, the museum and grounds are open at a reduced price.
Accessible garden, wetland and woodland trails, some paths prettified with Gruffalos, twee pixie dwellings and the like.
The focus is on Cold War military aviation, with a collection of cockpits. Check website for opening days.
Comfy and central.
This used to be the grand hotel for ferry passengers, but these nowadays bypass Stranraer, so its status, glitter and cleaning schedules are fading into history. How long can its chandeliers, spa and curling rink survive?
Friendly small place.
Opulent Victorian pile, great comfort, service and dining.
Victorian lodge with 10 rooms, lovely out-of-the-way spot with fine restaurant.
Campsite open April-Sep, adults only. Also has 3 spaces for campervans, but no caravan pitches. Dogs welcome.
This 34 m (112 ft) lighthouse by Robert Stevenson was completed in 1817, and straightaway showed its suitability as a hotel when its keeper fell asleep and the light rotation stopped. It was automated in 1994 and the accommodation converted into an upscale hotel with fine dining. Dogs welcome.
By train
From Glasgow Central there are four or five connections daily via Kilmarnock to Ayr, where you change for the train via Girvan, taking 2 hr 50 min to Stranraer.
By bus
Scottish Citylink / Ulsterbus 923 runs four times daily from Glasgow Buchanan Station and Ayr to the Stena terminal at Loch Ryan then to Stranraer town.
By road
From England leave M6 at Gretna and follow A75 west past Dumfries. From the Glasgow area follow M77 / A77 southwest via Kilmarnock and Ayr.
WCT local bus 350 runs 8 times a day M-Sa from Stranraer Charlotte St to either the Stena or P&O ferry terminal, depending on sailing times.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Prestwick, South Ayrshire · International · PIK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Stranraer and United Kingdom.
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Check eligibility, the £20 fee, application steps, and transit rules.
7 min read
Travel tipsComplete 2026 guide to global tourist taxes and access fees. Compare entry fees in Venice, Bali, Bhutan, Kyoto, and Edinburgh, and learn how to pay them.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsA complete guide to taking the Eurostar from London to Paris. Learn about check-in times, border controls, baggage limits, ticket tiers, and booking tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.