Cradled at the foot of rocky cliffs, Portpatrick looks across 22 miles of the Irish Channel to Donaghdee. The Gulf Stream, flowing into the channel from the north, gives the area a mild climate in which sub-tropical plants and trees flourish.
The village lies at the foot of a deep cleft cut through the cliffs giving easy access into the hills, to Stranraer eight miles away, and to the rest of glorious Galloway.
It is, therefore, an ideal base from which to tour the South West, but the countryside surrounding the village also has much to offer. The coastline north and south of Portpatrick is indented with secluded bays and beaches - Morroch Bay, Sandeel Bay, Lairds Bay and perhaps the loveliest of them all, Killantringan.
From the uplands of the Galloway Hills to gentle seaside trails, rolling moors and dramatic cliff-top walks, the Southern Upland Way passing close by is ideal to enjoy the many and varied shorter walks within the region. The dramatic scenery is home to a rich company of flora and fauna, with many unusual species including pine martens, golden eagle, ospreys, red deer, red squirrels and the natterjack toad.
The area has many renowned gardens to visit including the Botanic Gardens in Port Logan. Wigtown, Scotland’s official book town, is also home to a charming gallery, cafés and is located only a few miles from Bladnoch Distillery, where visitors can sample the local malt whisky.
For fishermen the area offers a wide variety of opportunities including sea fishing from Portpatrick and both trout and salmon fishing close by. Other country pursuits are available including shooting and riding. Golfers will feel equally at home in this area with Stranraer, Portpatrick and Lagganmore golf courses within a 20-minute drive. Turnberry, with its world famous course, is only 45 minutes’ away and also offers a spa, off road driving, quad biking activities and restaurant facilities.
For the active there are numerous cycle routes set out in stunning forestry commission surroundings and cycle hire is available at these centres. For those happy to travel slightly further afield there is the Galloway Sailing Centre where visitors can also try windsurfing, canoeing and power boating.
Bowls, tennis and putting are available near the harbour, where water ski-ing is popular during the season. Horse riding and pony trekking may be enjoyed at Lochnaw a few miles away. Sub- aqua clubs visit the area to search for wrecks to be found along the coast such as the Orion, which sank after running aground on rocks at the north end of the village.
