Portpatrick: Scotland's secret southern coast
Nature
The day drifts by softly, just wandering the cliff paths around the village. Put your phone away. Sit and watch the sea. Enjoy the fresh air. Walk. Swim. Be.
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Portpatrick
The day drifts by softly, just wandering the cliff paths around the village. Put your phone away. Sit and watch the sea. Enjoy the fresh air. Walk. Swim. Be.
Galloway is celebrated for its dark skies. Come here to see the night sparkle. There's an observatory in the area.
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Parcul Forestier Galloway
Galloway ForestGalloway is celebrated for its dark skies. Come here to see the night sparkle. There's an observatory in the area.
Enjoy a sense of wilderness just a short drive from Portpatrick.
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Mull of Galloway
Enjoy a sense of wilderness just a short drive from Portpatrick.
A passion project, Glenwhan has been developed over the last few decades and is a gorgeous gem of a garden. Great tea room too. With plants for sale, an all round great day out!
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Glenwhan Gardens
Glenwhan GardensA passion project, Glenwhan has been developed over the last few decades and is a gorgeous gem of a garden. Great tea room too. With plants for sale, an all round great day out!
Glorious botanic garden - part of Scotland's national botanic gardens. Short drive from Portpatrick.
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Grădina Botanică Logan
Glorious botanic garden - part of Scotland's national botanic gardens. Short drive from Portpatrick.
You can drive here if you haven't the energy for a walk, but otherwise, great walk from the village, up past big hotel, along golf course and through Sandeel then Laird's Bay. Keep it for a good weather day! No refreshments en route so take a picnic and flask (or hip flask!)
Killantringan Lighthouse
You can drive here if you haven't the energy for a walk, but otherwise, great walk from the village, up past big hotel, along golf course and through Sandeel then Laird's Bay. Keep it for a good weather day! No refreshments en route so take a picnic and flask (or hip flask!)
From the shore front, walk left, past Connors, on round past the car park till you come to the cliff steps. Follow these for a lovely walk above the old railway line to this ruin.
Dunskey Castle
Dunskey CastleFrom the shore front, walk left, past Connors, on round past the car park till you come to the cliff steps. Follow these for a lovely walk above the old railway line to this ruin.
Just past the War Memorial as you leave the village, there's a path on the left that takes you a walk through the Glen at Dunskey Estate. Take your swimming stuff... you can pop out on Sandeel Bay and do a loop back along the coastal path.
Dunskey Estate
Just past the War Memorial as you leave the village, there's a path on the left that takes you a walk through the Glen at Dunskey Estate. Take your swimming stuff... you can pop out on Sandeel Bay and do a loop back along the coastal path.
Loch Trool
Gorgeous walking territory
Beautiful gardens to walk around, huge lily pond, good cafe and dog friendly. 20 mins from Portpatrick.
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Castle Kennedy Gardens
Beautiful gardens to walk around, huge lily pond, good cafe and dog friendly. 20 mins from Portpatrick.
Swimming
The 20 minute walk across the cliff path, by the golf course, (easy enough for non-walkers) is just enough to get your heat up to face a winter swim, without wetsuit! Swim responsibly.
Sandeel Bay Beach
The 20 minute walk across the cliff path, by the golf course, (easy enough for non-walkers) is just enough to get your heat up to face a winter swim, without wetsuit! Swim responsibly.
20 minute drive via Sandhead and you'll discover the glorious Ardwell Bay. Walk to the left from the car park to find the remains of a Broch - ancient Scottish dwelling.
Ardwell Bay Beach
20 minute drive via Sandhead and you'll discover the glorious Ardwell Bay. Walk to the left from the car park to find the remains of a Broch - ancient Scottish dwelling.
Sandmill station
Shallow swimming, Luce Bay is warmer than the Irish Sea coast.
Lady Bay
A wee day out locally
Another good swim spot. The nearby caravan park has a wee shop for ice-cream emergencies.
New England Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Another good swim spot. The nearby caravan park has a wee shop for ice-cream emergencies.
Food scene
With views of the shore, lighthouse and harbour, sit outside or snuggle in in the colder months and enjoy great food.
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Connor's
1 South CresWith views of the shore, lighthouse and harbour, sit outside or snuggle in in the colder months and enjoy great food.
Lovely spot for a glass of wine and some nosh in the summer, sitting outdoors looking over the sea. Plenty seating inside and coal fire in winter.
Mount Stewart Hotel
South CrescentLovely spot for a glass of wine and some nosh in the summer, sitting outdoors looking over the sea. Plenty seating inside and coal fire in winter.
Right on the seafront, get a table outside and watch the world go by.
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The Crown Hotel
9 North CresRight on the seafront, get a table outside and watch the world go by.
Waterfront Hotel
7 North CresGood nosh on the seafront
If you're heading into Stranraer, stop off at the Fig & Olive for sourdough and brunch treats, great Chai and home bakes
Fig & Olive
99 George StreetIf you're heading into Stranraer, stop off at the Fig & Olive for sourdough and brunch treats, great Chai and home bakes
Papa Rab’s Restaurant, Takeaway & Bar
12 Hanover SquareRecommended Italian in town
Great food (a special treat) and sits right on the water totally chilled atmosphere. June til September they do a Saturday BBQ which was recommended by friends.
Knockinaam Lodge Hotel & Restaurant
Great food (a special treat) and sits right on the water totally chilled atmosphere. June til September they do a Saturday BBQ which was recommended by friends.
Pub grub and plenty outdoor seating, right in the centre of the village.
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Harbour House Hotel
53 Main StPub grub and plenty outdoor seating, right in the centre of the village.
Great cafe in the Main Street, next door to the baker's. Fab for a toastie and chips or Homebase and coffee. Amelia and team do takeaway too and in the summer, run the Boardwalk cafe round near the lighthouse, with pizzas to go.
The Port Pantry
24 Main StGreat cafe in the Main Street, next door to the baker's. Fab for a toastie and chips or Homebase and coffee. Amelia and team do takeaway too and in the summer, run the Boardwalk cafe round near the lighthouse, with pizzas to go.
Lovely long walk along Sandhead beach and then a pint and some food here. Gets really good reviews...Nice outdoor garden...lots of bird action with barn swallows.
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Tigh Na Mara Hotel
Main StreetLovely long walk along Sandhead beach and then a pint and some food here. Gets really good reviews...Nice outdoor garden...lots of bird action with barn swallows.
The Portpatrick Hotel
Heugh RoadGreat terrace to have a drink and watch the sun go down. Food served also
Arts
Check in with DGUnlimited, the local arts agency, to find out what's happening across Dumfries & Galloway. https://www.dgunlimited.com
Dumfries and Galloway Chamber of the Arts
Buccleuch StreetCheck in with DGUnlimited, the local arts agency, to find out what's happening across Dumfries & Galloway. https://www.dgunlimited.com
Kirkcudbright (pronounced Kirkoobri) is Scotland's artists town. There are lovely wee shops and galleries selling local makers' work.
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Kirkcudbright
Kirkcudbright (pronounced Kirkoobri) is Scotland's artists town. There are lovely wee shops and galleries selling local makers' work.
Sightseeing
Take a drive along the coast to the Isle of Whithorn (no longer an island, but nearly!). Have lunch at The Steam Packet and a walk round the village.
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Isle of Whithorn
Take a drive along the coast to the Isle of Whithorn (no longer an island, but nearly!). Have lunch at The Steam Packet and a walk round the village.
Gifts
Gorgeous building. Frank and Christine sell a whole range of lovely arts and crafts and gifts.
The Lighthouse Pottery
Gorgeous building. Frank and Christine sell a whole range of lovely arts and crafts and gifts.
On Portpatrick's sea front, visit Smugglers Cove gift shop - the lovely green shop beside Harbour House. Fabulous browsing potential in its ancient nooks and crannies.
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Smugglers Cove
On Portpatrick's sea front, visit Smugglers Cove gift shop - the lovely green shop beside Harbour House. Fabulous browsing potential in its ancient nooks and crannies.
Activities
Jack delivers the bikes to the door and collects them at the end of the day. A great service.
Cycling around the area on these bikes is fantastic and so easy. Definitely recommended. Go out past the caravan site towards Knockinnam. The road is very quiet and scenic.. Took us 1 hour to cycle to Sandhead...having not been on a bike for a number of years.
Westby's Electric Bike Hire
Jack delivers the bikes to the door and collects them at the end of the day. A great service.
Cycling around the area on these bikes is fantastic and so easy. Definitely recommended. Go out past the caravan site towards Knockinnam. The road is very quiet and scenic.. Took us 1 hour to cycle to Sandhead...having not been on a bike for a number of years.
Portpartick Putting Green
2-1 Welsh PlaceLoads of fun
Portpatrick, Dunskey Golf Club
Golf Club Road9 and 18 holes.