A charming coastal village

Whether you are coming to Portpatrick for a tranquil, quiet and relaxing holiday break by the sea or you want to visit local attractions, this part of south-west Scotland has so much to offer the whole family.

In Portpatrick itself, the harbour front and beach are perfect in summer, but this charming coastal village will provide the perfect holiday break all year round.

Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy a number of festivals and events including the Portpatrick Folk Festival which takes place in the first weekend of September and the Portpatrick Lifeboat Festival which begins at the end of July for a week-long series of events. There is also the Portpatrick Lifeboat Museum which is open between April and October. 

For keen golfers, the Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club overlooks the North Channel to Ireland and enjoys a temperate climate due to the Gulf Stream, so is playable all year round. The Dunskey 18-hole and the Dinvin 9-hole courses are a mixure of rolling moorland and seaside heath and sit around 150 feet above sea level. 

The 212-mile long coast-to-coast walking trail, the Southern Upland Way, begins in Portpatrick and ends in Eyemouth, making Portpatrick the perfect starting point for anyone wishing to undertake all or part of this spectacular walk through the border regions of Scotland.

How about strolling through the gardens of Dunskey Estate? Dunskey’s gardens are home to a vast collection of flowers and plants.

Dunskey Castle is a spectacular 13th-century ruin sitting on the cliff tops a short distance from Portpatrick and has featured in many films and TV series.

Just 24 miles away heading south down the Rhins Peninsula is Scotland’s Land’s End - The Mull of Galloway - the most southerly point in Scotland and one of the most stunning coastal settings in Britain. In addition to the rugged cliffs and views across to England, the Isle of Man and Ireland, there is also an RSPB visitor centre here and a lighthouse complete with foghorn! Both are open to the public.

In nearby Stranraer, children will love Agnew Park. Situated on the shores of Loch Ryan, the park boasts a Treasure Island play area complete with sandpit and pirate ship, a boating lake, an excellent roof-top café, a miniature railway and go- karts. The play park is open all year round, but some of the other attractions are open during local school holidays - check here for details. 

There are also many other attractions in Galloway, not least the Galloway Forest Park with its world-renowned 7Stanes Mountain Biking Trails, fabulous sandy beaches at Sandhead and Port William and a number of excellent botanic gardens including the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.