Cairnryan House

Location

Main Street, Cairnryan, Dumfries & Galloway, DG9 8QX

Cairnryan: Ferry Port offering the fastest crossing to Ireland with P&O Ferries to Larne, ideal for exploing the Antrim coast and further afield, but just a 5 minute drive to Stranraer for Stena crossings to Belfast. History, a military port and site of a military railway during World War Two, German UBoats surrendered in Loch Ryan, afterwhich the village found fame in shipbreaking, breaking most notably HMS Eagle in 1978 and HMS Ark Royal in 1980. Our Guest Information folders provide detailed information on the area and its history and we have numerous leaflets on local attractions, the following are just a few sights:- Heading north from Cairnryan you'll pass more beautiful coastline with on a clear day, a good view of Ailsa Craig, an Island rising high out from the sea. Boat trips can be made from Girvan and the island was famous for the curling stones fashioned from its rock that won the Scottish Women’s Curling Team a Winter Olympic Gold medal in 2002. There's a lighthouse on the island which was manned until 1990. As we're on the doorstep of South Ayrshire, Golf at Turnberry is only a 35 minute drive away. Close to Cairnryan/Stranraer are six more Golf courses, and other sporting facilities include Tennis Courts, Sailing at Wig Bay, Bowls, Curling or a visit to Stair Park tyo waych Scottish Second Division side Stranraer FC. A little north of Turnberry at Kirkoswald is Souter Johnnies thatched cottage, remembering the life of the village cobbler immortalised by Robert Burns, Tam O'Shanter. Nearby is the not to be missed Burns Cottage, monument, National Heritage Park and shopping at Ayr. Inland from Cairnryan is the Glentrool Forest Park offering walks, cycle trails, beautiful Loch Trool and Bruces Stone where Bruce defeated the English in 1307. South of Cairnryan is the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point with spectacular views east to Cumbria, south to the Isle of Man and West to Ireland. The area is also home to thousands of seabirds including Puffins, Fulmars, Shags, Kittiwakes and Guillemots. That nest on the many crevices and ledges. There’s a Lighthouse and Visitor Centre with a turf roof so allowing it to blend in with surroundings houses a number of audio and visual displays, and the nearby heathland is home to many rare plants, butterflies and moths. Bring binoculars for a close up view of some of the birds and of seals frequently seen offshore. Close by are the Logan Botanical Gardens, where bizarre shrubs and plants thrive in the gulf stream that protects our area. Other gardens include, Ardwell, Glenwhan and Castle Kennedy. No visit to the area is complete without a trip to the scenic fishing village of Portpatrick and Whithorn, birthplace of Christianity in Scotland and filming location of the 1973 horror film "The Wicker Man". There's plenty more to see in the area and Stranraer has free parking. We can also provide information on day trips and lodging in Northern Ireland.