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 Stranraer is situated on the
southern end of Loch Ryan in Galloway, on Scotland's beautiful west coast.
Within easy drive of the town, and Harbour Lights Guest House, are the
Galloway Forest Park, miles of rugged coastline, numerous picturesque
villages and rolling countryside. Many of the local gardens have forest or
woodland paths within them - all teaming with wildlife such as deer, foxes,
buzzards, numerous species of songbird and visitors, plus waders along the
shorelines such as oystercatchers and herons. Keep your eyes peeled, as they
say!
Horse riding and pony trekking can be
found in the area whilst angling is well catered for with numerous places
one can cast from. There are several Charter Hire
skippers operating out of
the Rhins of Galloway, should you fancy a day at sea after Tope and
suchlike. |
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 The town itself boats
the modern Ryan Leisure Centre
complete with Gym, Swimming pools, Sauna, Sports Hall and even a Theatre
with Bar! Live events range form theatrical performances to live music,
touring bands, operatic performances small theatre plays.
There is a
fitness suite to work out in and an indoor pitch for sports. The Harbour
Lights Guest House now offers Mountain Bike Hire for its guests as an ideal
way to explore the local countryside and keep fit at the same time.
The shore of the Loch make for great wildlife spotting and photographic
opportunities, with good numbers of wading birds, sea birds, porpoises and
dolphins sometimes visit the loch too.
Rhona and Colin will be happy to suggest places to visit or explore to suit
all pockets. |
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 Golfing is well catered for locally, with the nearby
Stranraer Golf Course offering a challenging 18 holes on an award winning
course alongside Loch Ryan. The course was designed by James Braid and
offers stunning views over the Loch. Lagganmore, on the road into Portpatrick,
welcomes visitors and offers a good course in the local countryside. At the village of Portpatrick
itself are the courses at
Dunskey (18 holes) on the cliff tops, and Dinvin (9 Holes).
Most courses offer a clubhouse and restaurant facilty, plus changing room
and secure lockers. Visitors are welcome at all local
courses, although Handicap cards may be required at some - please check with
the club before visiting! |
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 If you enjoy all things gardening, then you too will be
suitably impressed with the quality of the gardens open to the public
locally. At Dunragit (on the A75) to the east of Stranraer stand the amazing
Glenwhan Gardens - once 12 acres of wasteland, now a stunning aboreal and
horticultural delight. (Parking and tearoom with good menu available) Closer to hand are the
wonderful Castle Kennedy Gardens beside
Loch Inch Castle. Towards Portpatrick one can find the Walled Garden at
Dunskey, with its wildflowers and tearoom. Towards the
south of the Rhins of Galloway are to be found the ward winning Logan Botanic Garden and
the privately-owned (but open to the public) Logan House Gardens, both about 2 miles from Port Logan.
Within the small village of Ardwell one can find the (privately owned but
open to the public) gardens
at Ardwell House. Local Organic Produce can be sourced from
Kirkland
Farm Shop and Tearoom at nearby Leswalt. |
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 The Harbour Lights Guest House is close to the town centre,
with a number of pubs and clubs within easy reach. Evening meals are well
catered for, with a good selection of eating venues, from fish and chip
shops, to cafes (such as
Cafe Pizzaria), Indian restaurants (Shimla's
Tandoori does a great evening buffet) Agnew Park, with its kids' play area, boating lake, small beach and model railway is across the road
from the Harbour Lights Guest house. There are also a number of automobile repair outlets
in town should you require them. ATM machines are scattered around the town
centre and the local post office, banks and travel agents offer Foreign
Exchange should you require it. The area is well served with taxis, and
public transport is of a fair quality should you wish to explore by Day
Rover ticket. (Sunday buses are a bit thin on the ground unfortunately -
which means using the car to reach the Mull of Galloway for example) Finally, check out the award winning
Colfin
Smokehouse just outside Portpatrick for great local Galloway produce, smoked
in-house and featuring Scottish Salmon, smoked Kippers, Mussels and more! |
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| Bed & Breakfast in Stranraer |
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Bed & Breakfast in Stranraer |