The beautiful small village of Portpatrick is only 2 hours drive away from Kilmarnock and the first sight of the harbour is breathtaking. The village itself hangs on to the extreme south-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, cut into a cleft set into steep cliffs.

Simply follow signs south for Stranraer from Kilmarnock along a route which hugs the coast and affords fantastic views of the Firth of Clyde and then take the well signed route to Portpatrick itself which is only 8 miles from Stranraer.

Portpatrick means simply St Patrick’s port due to the rumour that St Patrick travelled to Ireland from Portpatrick. It’s close location to Ireland (only 21 miles) lead to it becoming the first ferry service to Ireland in the area.

Portpatrick Harbour

Portpatrick Harbour

Portpatrick’s future looked bleak after the ferries left for the more sheltered harbour of Stranraer, but the village was rescued by the Orr-Ewing family at the end of the 19th century who turned Portpatrick into a tourist destination.

Dating back historically some 500 years, and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby Dunskey Castle, Portpatrick’s position on the Rhins of Galloway affords visitors views of the Northern Irish coast to the west, with clifftop walks and beaches both north and south. The Gulf Stream, flowing in from the north, gives the coastline a pleasant climate, in which subtropical plant life can flourish.

Dunskey Castle lies to the north end of Portpatrick and it can be reached via a cliff top path. The ruins of Dunskey Castle that stand today were built in the 16th century. Don’t be surprised to see an apparition of a ‘hairy man’ as the castle is said to be haunted by a ghost!

Yachts, cruisers, et al

Yachts, cruisers, et al

Portpatrick has the highest sunshine record in Dumfries and Galloway and is also famed for being ‘Galloway’s Gretna Green’ for eloping Irish couples.

Set within its own cove of 32 acres, with private beach, extensive gardens and croquet lawn, Knockinaam Lodge in Portpatrick is a tranquil hideaway, Used by Sir Winston Churchill for secret meetings with Eisenhour in the Second World War.

Portpatrick has something for everyone. Whether it is the romance or the sense of history surrounding the area, the vibrant harbour which acts like a magnet to anyone in the nearby vicinity, the tranquil beaches, the diverse wildlife or even just down to the extremely friendly locals, Portpatrick cannot be seen and appreciated with a simple one day trip.

Many people return year after year realising Portpatrick has touched them in a unique sense. Some unknown element draws them back with many becoming permanent residents! Be warned!