3. OUR CONTEXT IN A GOOD PLACE

Stranraer is the Gateway to Galloway, a family friendly town attracting visitors from Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. The town has ambitions to reinvent itself as a destination for eco-tourism - a strategically placed hub, a leisure destination with a focus on watersports, a growing cultural offer and most of all, a glorious green place with wellbeing at its heart.

Stranraer is the second biggest town in the Dumfries & Galloway region, on the southwest border of Scotland. With a population of just under 11,000, it is the main town in the Rhins of Galloway and commercial hub for rural and coastal villages … Portpatrick, Lochans, Leswalt, Sandhead, Stoneykirk, Kirkcolm, Drummore, Port Logan, Dunragit, Castle Kennedy, New Luce, Glenluce and Cairnryan… a total population of 15,397.

Our green peninsula is great for outdoor life - walking the Southern Upland Way, golfing, sailing, fishing, swimming, cycling. The South West Coastal 300 Route identifies a route for explorers. The new Coast to Coast Cycle Route from Stranraer to Eyemouth launches in summer 2023. The Rhins is home to the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point. The town sits on Loch Ryanan important asset, as Scotland’s last remaining sustainable, native oyster fishery with an annual Autumn Oyster Festival for the last 5 years.

STRANRAER’S OFFER

• Scotland’s only native oyster bed at Loch Ryan.

• Scotland’s only annual Oyster Festival and Shucking Championships.

• Scotland’s most southerly point, the dramatic Mull of Galloway.

• 93 miles of coast for swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing.

• Golf courses, country estates, gardens, and a Royal Botanic Garden.

• Birdlife, sealife, wildlife, flora and fauna.

• The Southern Upland way and coastal paths.

• Historic Stevenson lighthouses, brochs, castles, standing stones.

• 14th century Castle of St John with historic interpretation.

• North West Castle, 73-bed 4 star hotel, with curling rink and pool.

• Family events: ParkFest, Spring Fling, Hogmanay Hoolie, the Cattle Show.

On The Go And In The Pipeline

• One Waterfront - a single vision, transforming the seafront.

• Watersports Centre: kayak, canoe, swim, sail, learning, instruction.

• George Hotel: creative hub, bunkhouse, climbing/caving fun.

• Millennium Centre for events, cafe, clubs and adventures.

• Solway Coast and Marine Project (SCAMP) protecting our coast.

• Furniture & Bike Project: recycling, upcycling, upskilling.

• Food and friendship: Apex food bank and the Fed Up Cafe.

• Skills, growing and connection at the Unexpected Garden.

• Stair Park upgrade of skatepark.

• 50 new allotments proposal and BMX Pump Track at King George V park.

• Coast to Coast Kirkpatrick cycle route, Eyemouth to Portpatrick via Stranraer.