Stranraer
Encyclopedia
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland
. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway
and in the county of Wigtownshire
.
Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan
on the northern side of the isthmus
joining the Rhins of Galloway
to the mainland. The name is generally believed to come from the Scottish Gaelic An t-Sròn
Reamhar meaning "The Fat Nose", but which more prosaically might be rendered as "the broad headland". Another interpretation would link the second element in the name with Rerigonium, a settlement anciently noted by Ptolemy
in this part of Britain.
Stranraer is an administrative centre for the West Galloway (Wigtownshire) area of Dumfries and Galloway. It is best known as having been a ferry port connecting Scotland with Belfast
(and previously with Larne
) in Northern Ireland
, the last service was transferred to Cairnryan
in November 2011.
A person from Stranraer is a Stranraerarian; someone from the original, lochside, part of the town, including Sheuchan Street and Agnew Crescent - the Clayhole or, in local dialect Cl'yhole - is a Clayholer (icon).
in 1596 and a royal burgh
in 1617. By 1600, it had become the market town for western Wigtownshire
. At about this time Stranraer was reached by a military road built from Dumfries
to allow easier access to Portpatrick
for transportation to Ireland.
The first harbour in Stranraer was built in the mid-18th century, with further port development in the 1820s. The arrival of the railway from Dumfries in 1861 finally established Stranraer as the area's main port. In 1862, the line was extended to serve the harbour directly, and a link to Portpatrick was also opened. Some time later, a rail connection north to Girvan
was established.
Stranraer remained the main Scottish port for the Irish ferries for the next 150 years or so. On 31 January 1953, 133 people died when the Princess Victoria
sank near Belfast Lough
after its car deck was swamped by heavy seas.
Stranraer and its surrounding area saw a significant amount of activity during the Second World War
, as it became a focus for anti U-boat work. Flying boats operated from the area in an attempt to secure the waters of the North Channel
and the south western coast of Scotland. Almost all Britain's shipping imports passed through those two sea areas en-route to the Clyde or the Mersey. Indeed, the flying boat Supermarine Stranraer
is named after the town. Winston Churchill himself departed from Stranraer in a Boeing Flying Boat on the night of the 25 June 1942, when making his second visit of the war to the USA. Churchill also spent time at nearby Knockinaam Lodge during the war years.
Stranraer has an active local history trust which publishes work on the area's history commissioned from local authors.
is a medieval tower house
, built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt. It has been used as a home, a court, a prison, and a military garrison, the latter during the Killing Times in the 1680s.
The Old Town Hall, built in 1776, now houses Stranraer Museum with its displays of Victorian
Wigtownshire and the town's polar explorers, Sir John Ross
and his nephew James Clark Ross
.
The town is also home to the North West Castle
, built in 1820 and the now first hotel in the world with its own indoor curling ice rink.
's second largest town with a population including the surrounding area of nearly 13,000+ compared to that of the next town Annan
(nearly 8,000). It is currently undergoing redevelopment in the South Central Area (known as Dick's Hill, Ochtrelure and the southern part of Liddesdale Road area into the Gallow Hill).
) operates a large creamery in the town which supports a large number of jobs. Stranraer is the home to Seriously Strong Cheese.
. Trains are provided by First ScotRail
daily to Ayr
, Glasgow, and Kilmarnock
.
The main national coach providers operate services from Stranraer. National Express
offer a service to London, and Scottish Citylink
(in association with Ulsterbus
) operate services (which connect with High-speed Sea Service sailings) to Edinburgh
.
Local transport in and around the town is provided by Stagecoach Western, and three locally based companies, James King Coaches, Irvine and McCulloch's Coaches.
In November 2011 Stena Line
relocated its ferry services to a new port at Old House Point, north of Cairnryan
. It is hoped that the existing port in Stranraer will be redeveloped with the departure of Stena Line, with proposals to build a transport hub having been drawn up.
As of January 2010 work on the streets around the town centre is now complete, with the streets around the Castle of St John re-paved and re-profiled.
The Castle Square was formally unveiled in early Spring and has so far hosted a range of activities, including music and family events.
Stranraer has five primary schools; Belmont, Park, Rephad, St. Joseph’s R.C. and Sheuchan.
Stranraer Academy has another seven associated primary schools from areas outwith Stranraer; Castle Kennedy, Drochduil, Drummore, Kirkcolm, Leswalt, Sandhead and Portpatrick
The town has one secondary school, Stranraer Academy
, a comprehensive school
consisting of one modern building (New Building Phase 2 completed in 2010). The school has around 1200 pupils, 90 members of staff and serves both the town itself and the surrounding villages and rural populations.
Stranraer has no private education institutions.
Dumfries and Galloway College
have a campus in the town, at what used to be the site of Stranraer Academy. In 1990 the John Niven Further Education College was built on Academy Street in the town, it has since been absorbed into the Dumfries and Galloway College.
, the local semi-professional football team who play at Stair Park
. They currently play in the Scottish Third Division. Stair Park is also home to Stranraer FC reserve team who play in the South of Scotland League
.
The rugby team Wigtownshire RFC are based in the town and are currently in West League Division 2
. They play at London Road Playing Fields, opposite Stair Park.
Also at Stair Park are BMX
and skateboarding
ramps, and all-weather tennis and netball courts. The town also has a swimming pool (with flume), fitness suite, gymnasium and large sports hall at the council-run Ryan Centre, as well as other football fields, parks and all-weather multi-purpose pitches.
Throughout the years, Stranraer has also become a centre of excellence for Scottish curling
. The town boasts the first hotel in the world with an indoor curling ice rink (North West Castle
), and was the birthplace of Hammy McMillan
, a World Champion curler, who continues to live in the town today. The town is host to a number of annual curling championships, including the Scottish Ladies Curling Championship and the World Juniors Curling Championship.
There is also an amateur Boxing club and amateur Kickboxing club currently active in Stranraer.
A small leisure boat marina was constructed in Stranraer Harbour in 2008.
provides healthcare services in the town. The Galloway Community Hospital
opened in 2006 and replaced the Garrick and Dalrymple hospitals of the town. GP
services are based in the Waverly Medical Centre, adjacent to the new hospital.
The town has several care homes for the elderly, the biggest being Thorneycroft on the edges of the town run by the CIC company.
is based and printed in the town's St Andrews Street. The Galloway Gazette also covers the town and surrounding area. Stranraer falls in the ITV Border television area. The nearest radio station is based in Belfast
, however the nearest local station is based in Dumfries
. West Sound FM
broadcasts at 96.5FM
in the town.
In June 2009, Stranraer started the transition from analogue to digital television, making it one of first areas in the country behind Workington and the Scottish Borders. This opened up a number of digital services for the town and the surrounding area, who previously struggled to get even the likes of Channel Five on their television sets.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...
and in the county of Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway...
.
Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan
Loch Ryan
Loch Ryan is a Scottish sea loch that acts as an important natural harbour for shipping, providing calm waters for ferries operating between Scotland and Northern Ireland...
on the northern side of the isthmus
Isthmus
An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger land areas usually with waterforms on either side.Canals are often built through isthmuses where they may be particularly advantageous to create a shortcut for marine transportation...
joining the Rhins of Galloway
Rhins of Galloway
The Rhins of Galloway is a hammer-head peninsula in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland...
to the mainland. The name is generally believed to come from the Scottish Gaelic An t-Sròn
Sròn
Sròn is the Scottish Gaelic word for nose and is the name of some hills in the Scottish Highlands. Before the abolition of the acute accent in Scottish Gaelic, it was sometimes spelt as srón...
Reamhar meaning "The Fat Nose", but which more prosaically might be rendered as "the broad headland". Another interpretation would link the second element in the name with Rerigonium, a settlement anciently noted by Ptolemy
Ptolemy
Claudius Ptolemy , was a Roman citizen of Egypt who wrote in Greek. He was a mathematician, astronomer, geographer, astrologer, and poet of a single epigram in the Greek Anthology. He lived in Egypt under Roman rule, and is believed to have been born in the town of Ptolemais Hermiou in the...
in this part of Britain.
Stranraer is an administrative centre for the West Galloway (Wigtownshire) area of Dumfries and Galloway. It is best known as having been a ferry port connecting Scotland with Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
(and previously with Larne
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
) in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, the last service was transferred to Cairnryan
Cairnryan
Cairnryan is a small Scottish village in Dumfries and Galloway on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. The village has been of vital importance in maritime history.-Ferry Port:...
in November 2011.
A person from Stranraer is a Stranraerarian; someone from the original, lochside, part of the town, including Sheuchan Street and Agnew Crescent - the Clayhole or, in local dialect Cl'yhole - is a Clayholer (icon).
History
Stranraer became a burgh of baronyBurgh of barony
A burgh of barony is a type of Scottish town .They were distinct from royal burghs as the title was granted to a tenant-in-chief, a landowner who held his estates directly from the crown....
in 1596 and a royal burgh
Royal burgh
A royal burgh was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished in 1975, the term is still used in many of the former burghs....
in 1617. By 1600, it had become the market town for western Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway...
. At about this time Stranraer was reached by a military road built from Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
to allow easier access to Portpatrick
Portpatrick
Portpatrick is a village hanging on to the extreme south-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, cut into a cleft in steep cliffs.Dating back historically some 500 years, and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby Dunskey Castle, its position on the Rhins of Galloway affords visitors views of the...
for transportation to Ireland.
The first harbour in Stranraer was built in the mid-18th century, with further port development in the 1820s. The arrival of the railway from Dumfries in 1861 finally established Stranraer as the area's main port. In 1862, the line was extended to serve the harbour directly, and a link to Portpatrick was also opened. Some time later, a rail connection north to Girvan
Girvan
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Girvan dates back to 1668 when is became a municipal burgh incorporated by by charter...
was established.
Stranraer remained the main Scottish port for the Irish ferries for the next 150 years or so. On 31 January 1953, 133 people died when the Princess Victoria
MV Princess Victoria
MV Princess Victoria was one of the earliest roll-on/roll-off ferries. Built in 1947, she operated from Stranraer to Larne. During a severe European windstorm on 31 January 1953, she sank in the North Channel with the loss of 133 lives, the deadliest maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters...
sank near Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough
Belfast Lough is a large, natural intertidal sea lough at the mouth of the River Lagan on the east coast of Northern Ireland. The inner part of the lough comprises a series of mudflats and lagoons. The outer lough is restricted to mainly rocky shores with some small sandy bays...
after its car deck was swamped by heavy seas.
Stranraer and its surrounding area saw a significant amount of activity during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as it became a focus for anti U-boat work. Flying boats operated from the area in an attempt to secure the waters of the North Channel
North Channel (British Isles)
The North Channel is the strait which separates eastern Northern Ireland from southwestern Scotland...
and the south western coast of Scotland. Almost all Britain's shipping imports passed through those two sea areas en-route to the Clyde or the Mersey. Indeed, the flying boat Supermarine Stranraer
Supermarine Stranraer
|-Surviving aircraft:A single intact Stranraer, 920/CF-BXO, survives in the collection of the Royal Air Force Museum London. This aircraft was built in 1940, one of 40 built by Canadian Vickers. In service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, it flew with several squadrons, on anti-submarine patrols,...
is named after the town. Winston Churchill himself departed from Stranraer in a Boeing Flying Boat on the night of the 25 June 1942, when making his second visit of the war to the USA. Churchill also spent time at nearby Knockinaam Lodge during the war years.
Stranraer has an active local history trust which publishes work on the area's history commissioned from local authors.
Historic and notable buildings
The Castle of St. JohnCastle of St. John
The Castle of St. John is an early 16th century L-plan tower house in the centre of Stranraer, in Dumfries and Galloway, southwest Scotland. It was built by the Adairs of Kilhilt. It has been used as a home, a court, a prison, and as a military garrison during the "Killing Times" of Covenanter...
is a medieval tower house
Tower house
A tower house is a particular type of stone structure, built for defensive purposes as well as habitation.-History:Tower houses began to appear in the Middle Ages, especially in mountain or limited access areas, in order to command and defend strategic points with reduced forces...
, built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt. It has been used as a home, a court, a prison, and a military garrison, the latter during the Killing Times in the 1680s.
The Old Town Hall, built in 1776, now houses Stranraer Museum with its displays of Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
Wigtownshire and the town's polar explorers, Sir John Ross
John Ross (Arctic explorer)
Sir John Ross, CB, was a Scottish rear admiral and Arctic explorer.Ross was the son of the Rev. Andrew Ross, minister of Inch, near Stranraer in Scotland. In 1786, aged only nine, he joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice. He served in the Mediterranean until 1789 and then in the English Channel...
and his nephew James Clark Ross
James Clark Ross
Sir James Clark Ross , was a British naval officer and explorer. He explored the Arctic with his uncle Sir John Ross and Sir William Parry, and later led his own expedition to Antarctica.-Arctic explorer:...
.
The town is also home to the North West Castle
North West Castle
North West Castle is an 18th century four star country house hotel in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, in the south west of Scotland .It is noteworthy for being the home of Sir John Ross, a famous Scottish rear admiral and Arctic explorer...
, built in 1820 and the now first hotel in the world with its own indoor curling ice rink.
Geography
Stranraer is Dumfries and GallowayDumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway is one of 32 unitary council areas of Scotland. It was one of the nine administrative 'regions' of mainland Scotland created in 1975 by the Local Government etc. Act 1973...
's second largest town with a population including the surrounding area of nearly 13,000+ compared to that of the next town Annan
Annan, Dumfries and Galloway
The royal burgh of Annan is a well-built town, red sandstone being the material mainly used. Each year in July, Annan celebrates the Royal Charter and the boundaries of the Royal Burgh are confirmed when a mounted cavalcade undertakes the Riding of the Marches. Entertainment includes a...
(nearly 8,000). It is currently undergoing redevelopment in the South Central Area (known as Dick's Hill, Ochtrelure and the southern part of Liddesdale Road area into the Gallow Hill).
Districts
- Stranraer Town
- West End
- Ailsa View
- Ochtrelure
- Sheuchan Parks / Liddesdale
- Stair
- Bishopburn
- Ailsa Gait
Outer districts
- Inchparks
- Innermessan
- Soulseat
- Culhorn
- Sandmill
- Auchtrelure
- Gallowhill
- Blackparks
Economy
The main industries in the area are the ferry port, with associated industries, tourism and more traditionally farming. The Caledonian Cheese Company (owned by LactalisLactalis
Lactalis is a multi-national dairy products corporation, owned by the Besnier family and based in Laval, Mayenne, France. It is the third largest dairy products group in the world, and is the second largest food products group in France, behind Danone...
) operates a large creamery in the town which supports a large number of jobs. Stranraer is the home to Seriously Strong Cheese.
Landmarks
Local tourist attractions include:- Ardwell GardensArdwellArdwell is a village in the Scottish unitary council area of Dumfries and Galloway. It lies on the shores of Luce Bay in the southern part of the Rhins of Galloway. The A716 road to Drummore or the Mull of Galloway passes through the village...
- Castle of St JohnCastle of St. JohnThe Castle of St. John is an early 16th century L-plan tower house in the centre of Stranraer, in Dumfries and Galloway, southwest Scotland. It was built by the Adairs of Kilhilt. It has been used as a home, a court, a prison, and as a military garrison during the "Killing Times" of Covenanter...
- Castle Kennedy Gardens - a 75 acres (30.4 ha) garden between 2 lochs noted for its rhododendrons, azaleas and embothriumEmbothriumEmbothrium is a genus of two to eight species in the plant family Proteaceae, native to southern South America, in Chile and adjacent western Argentina and southern Peru; the genus occurs as far south as Tierra del Fuego...
s in the grounds of Lochinch Castle, the seat of the Earls of StairEarl of StairEarl of Stair is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1703 for the lawyer and statesman John Dalrymple, 2nd Viscount of Stair. He actively supported William III's claim to the throne and served as Secretary of State for Scotland. However, he was forced to resign after he authorised... - Glenluce AbbeyGlenluce AbbeyGlenluce Abbey, near to Glenluce, Scotland, was a Cistercian monastery called also Abbey of Luce or Vallis Lucis and founded around 1190 by Rolland or Lochlann, Lord of Galloway and Constable of Scotland...
- a 12th century Cistercian monastery - Glenwhan Gardens - a 12 acres (4.9 ha) garden near DunragitDunragitDunragit is a village on the A75, between Stranraer and Glenluce in Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland. It grew up around the west gate of Dunragit House, an 18th century three-storey four-bay country house. It expanded considerably in the 1950s...
- Logan Botanic GardenLogan Botanic GardenLogan Botanic Garden is a botanical garden located near Port Logan on the Rhins of Galloway, the south-western tip of Scotland.The area has a mild climate, due to the influence of the North Atlantic drift. This enables plants which would not normally survive outdoors in Scotland to flourish. There...
, near Port LoganPort LoganPort Logan, formerly Port Nessock, is a small village in the parish of Kirkmaiden in the Rhins of Galloway in Wigtownshire.Port Nessock Bay is now all that remains of the western end of a strait that in post-glacial times separated the main part of what is now the Rinns of Galloway from three...
village, one of the four sites of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Mull of GallowayMull of GallowayThe Mull of Galloway is the southernmost point of Scotland. It is situated in Wigtownshire, Dumfries and Galloway.A lighthouse is positioned at the point . Built in 1830 by engineer Robert Stevenson, the white-painted round tower is high...
- the most southerly point of Scotland with a lighthouse, visitor centre and RSPB bird reserve - PortpatrickPortpatrickPortpatrick is a village hanging on to the extreme south-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, cut into a cleft in steep cliffs.Dating back historically some 500 years, and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby Dunskey Castle, its position on the Rhins of Galloway affords visitors views of the...
- Southern Upland WaySouthern Upland WayOpened in 1984, the Southern Upland Way is a coast to coast walk in Scotland between Portpatrick in the west and Cockburnspath in the east....
- a 212 miles (341.2 km) long distance path between PortpatrickPortpatrickPortpatrick is a village hanging on to the extreme south-westerly tip of mainland Scotland, cut into a cleft in steep cliffs.Dating back historically some 500 years, and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby Dunskey Castle, its position on the Rhins of Galloway affords visitors views of the...
and CockburnspathCockburnspathCockburnspath is a village in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland. It lies near the North Sea coast between Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh. It is at the eastern extremity of the Southern Upland Way, a long-distance footpath from the west to east coast of Scotland, and it is also the terminus... - Stranraer Museum
- WhithornWhithornWhithorn is a former royal burgh in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, about ten miles south of Wigtown. The town was the location of the first recorded Christian church in Scotland, Candida Casa : the 'White [or 'Shining'] House', built by Saint Ninian about 397.-Eighth and twelfth centuries:A...
- with its relics of St Ninian - WigtownWigtownWigtown is a town and former royal burgh in the Machars of Galloway in the south west of Scotland. It lies south of Newton Stewart and east of Stranraer. It has a population of about 1,000...
- Scotland's national book town
Transport
Stranraer railway station is the southern terminus for one of the branch lines of the Glasgow South Western LineGlasgow South Western Line
The Glasgow South Western Line is a mainline railway in Scotland that runs from Glasgow to Kilmarnock, and then either via Dumfries, or Stranraer via Ayr, with a branch to East Kilbride.- History :...
. Trains are provided by First ScotRail
First ScotRail
ScotRail Railways Ltd. is the FirstGroup-owned train operating company running domestic passenger trains within Scotland, northern England and the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London using the brand ScotRail which is the property of the Scottish Government...
daily to Ayr
Ayr railway station
Ayr railway station serves the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated in Smith Street, off Burns Statue Square. The station, which is managed by First ScotRail, is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south-west of Glasgow Central railway station....
, Glasgow, and Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock railway station
Kilmarnock railway station is a railway station in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland. The station is managed by First ScotRail and is served by trains on the Glasgow South Western Line.- History :...
.
The main national coach providers operate services from Stranraer. National Express
National Express
National Express Coaches, more commonly known as National Express, is a brand and company, owned by the National Express Group, under which the majority of long distance bus and coach services in Great Britain are operated,...
offer a service to London, and Scottish Citylink
Scottish Citylink
Scottish Citylink Coaches Ltd is a long distance express coach operator in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland . The company was formed as a subsidiary of Scottish Transport Group in June 1985...
(in association with Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink , which also includes Northern Ireland Railways, Metro Belfast and Flexibus.-Services:Ulsterbus is responsible for most of the province-wide bus...
) operate services (which connect with High-speed Sea Service sailings) to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Local transport in and around the town is provided by Stagecoach Western, and three locally based companies, James King Coaches, Irvine and McCulloch's Coaches.
In November 2011 Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
relocated its ferry services to a new port at Old House Point, north of Cairnryan
Cairnryan
Cairnryan is a small Scottish village in Dumfries and Galloway on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. The village has been of vital importance in maritime history.-Ferry Port:...
. It is hoped that the existing port in Stranraer will be redeveloped with the departure of Stena Line, with proposals to build a transport hub having been drawn up.
Redevelopment
At an estimated cost of £1.29m, the ‘Castle Square’ development will be the first phase of the redevelopment of Stranraer town centre and significantly change the flow of traffic with Castle Street and George Street both being narrowed in a bid to be more pedestrian friendly.As of January 2010 work on the streets around the town centre is now complete, with the streets around the Castle of St John re-paved and re-profiled.
The Castle Square was formally unveiled in early Spring and has so far hosted a range of activities, including music and family events.
Education
Stranraer Academy has another seven associated primary schools from areas outwith Stranraer; Castle Kennedy, Drochduil, Drummore, Kirkcolm, Leswalt, Sandhead and Portpatrick
The town has one secondary school, Stranraer Academy
Stranraer Academy
Stranraer Academy is a secondary school in the town of Stranraer in South West Scotland, it serves the area of Stranraer, the Rhins, and parts of the Machars....
, a comprehensive school
Comprehensive school
A comprehensive school is a state school that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude. This is in contrast to the selective school system, where admission is restricted on the basis of a selection criteria. The term is commonly used in relation to the United...
consisting of one modern building (New Building Phase 2 completed in 2010). The school has around 1200 pupils, 90 members of staff and serves both the town itself and the surrounding villages and rural populations.
Stranraer has no private education institutions.
Dumfries and Galloway College
Dumfries and Galloway College
Dumfries and Galloway College is a further education college in Dumfries and Galloway, with campuses in Dumfries, Stranraer and Newton Stewart. It offers a wide range of courses, including computing, child care, hospitality, beauty therapy and mechanical engineering...
have a campus in the town, at what used to be the site of Stranraer Academy. In 1990 the John Niven Further Education College was built on Academy Street in the town, it has since been absorbed into the Dumfries and Galloway College.
Sport
The town is the home of Stranraer FCStranraer F.C.
Stranraer Football Club is a Scottish semi-professional football team based in the town of Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway. They are members of the Scottish Football League, and currently play in the Third Division.-History:...
, the local semi-professional football team who play at Stair Park
Stair Park
Stair Park is a public park and football stadium in the town of Stranraer, Scotland. It is owned by Dumfries & Galloway Council and is situated next to the London Road and the railway line in the town. It is home to Stranraer F.C., Wigtownshire RFC and Stranraer and Rhins Agricultural Show...
. They currently play in the Scottish Third Division. Stair Park is also home to Stranraer FC reserve team who play in the South of Scotland League
South of Scotland Football League
The South of Scotland Football League is an amateur football competition based in the south of Scotland. Another earlier league of the same name briefly existed during the early days of competitive football...
.
The rugby team Wigtownshire RFC are based in the town and are currently in West League Division 2
West Regional Leagues (Rugby Union)
The West Regional League structure is one of three Scottish Regional Leagues operated by the Scottish Rugby Union, which play at a level below that of the Scottish National Leagues structure...
. They play at London Road Playing Fields, opposite Stair Park.
Also at Stair Park are BMX
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
and skateboarding
Skateboarding
Skateboarding is an action sport which involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard.Skateboarding can be a recreational activity, an art form, a job, or a method of transportation. Skateboarding has been shaped and influenced by many skateboarders throughout the years. A 2002 report...
ramps, and all-weather tennis and netball courts. The town also has a swimming pool (with flume), fitness suite, gymnasium and large sports hall at the council-run Ryan Centre, as well as other football fields, parks and all-weather multi-purpose pitches.
Throughout the years, Stranraer has also become a centre of excellence for Scottish curling
Curling
Curling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a...
. The town boasts the first hotel in the world with an indoor curling ice rink (North West Castle
North West Castle
North West Castle is an 18th century four star country house hotel in Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, in the south west of Scotland .It is noteworthy for being the home of Sir John Ross, a famous Scottish rear admiral and Arctic explorer...
), and was the birthplace of Hammy McMillan
Hammy McMillan
Hammy McMillan is a Scottish curler and world champion. He won a gold medal as skip for the Scottish team at the 1999 Ford World Curling Championships in Saint John, New Brunswick. He has received five gold medals at the European Curling Championships...
, a World Champion curler, who continues to live in the town today. The town is host to a number of annual curling championships, including the Scottish Ladies Curling Championship and the World Juniors Curling Championship.
There is also an amateur Boxing club and amateur Kickboxing club currently active in Stranraer.
A small leisure boat marina was constructed in Stranraer Harbour in 2008.
Public services
NHS Dumfries and GallowayNHS Dumfries and Galloway
NHS Dumfries and Galloway is the health board serving the Dumfries and Galloway region. It is one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland...
provides healthcare services in the town. The Galloway Community Hospital
Galloway Community Hospital
The Galloway Community Hospital is an NHS hospital in the town of Stranraer, Galloway, Scotland. Opened on a partial basis in September 2006 , being fully opened by October 2007....
opened in 2006 and replaced the Garrick and Dalrymple hospitals of the town. GP
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
services are based in the Waverly Medical Centre, adjacent to the new hospital.
The town has several care homes for the elderly, the biggest being Thorneycroft on the edges of the town run by the CIC company.
Media
Local newspaper the Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free PressStranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press
The Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press is a local weekly newspaper based in Stranraer, Scotland, which primarily serves Stranraer and the Rhins area but also Wigtownshire and parts of South Ayrshire....
is based and printed in the town's St Andrews Street. The Galloway Gazette also covers the town and surrounding area. Stranraer falls in the ITV Border television area. The nearest radio station is based in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, however the nearest local station is based in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
. West Sound FM
West Sound FM
West Sound FM is a local radio station for Dumfries and Galloway, owned & operated by Bauer Radio and forming part of Bauer's Place Network of stations...
broadcasts at 96.5FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
in the town.
In June 2009, Stranraer started the transition from analogue to digital television, making it one of first areas in the country behind Workington and the Scottish Borders. This opened up a number of digital services for the town and the surrounding area, who previously struggled to get even the likes of Channel Five on their television sets.
Cultural references
- The song "Cap In Hand" by The ProclaimersThe ProclaimersThe Proclaimers are a Scottish band composed of identical twin brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid . They are probably best known for the songs "Letter from America", "I'm On My Way" and "I'm Gonna Be ". The band tours extensively throughout Europe and other continents...
says "I can understand why Stranraer lie so lowly, they could save a lot of points by signing HibsHibernian F.C.Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
goalie", a reference to goalkeeper Andy GoramAndy GoramAndrew Lewis Goram is a former Scotland international association football goalkeeper. He started his career with Oldham Athletic and Hibernian, but he is best remembered for playing for Rangers during the 1990s, when he earned the moniker "The Goalie"...
, and to Stranraer F.C.'s poor league position at the time the song was written. - In the 4th episode of the BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
series Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge, one of the guests was the Duchess of Stranraer. No such title exists. - Stranraer has featured in Peter KayPeter KayPeter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
's Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
Phoenix Nights series, albeit only by name. AlanLes and AlanLes Campbell and Alan Dalton are two of many characters from the comic world of Peter Kay.Les and Alan are another double act from Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights, with small appearances in both That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere.Les is played by BBC Radio Sheffield DJ and...
is said to be stuck in Stranraer with his lorry and not at the club.
Notable people
- David BroadfootDavid BroadfootDavid Broadfoot GC was a Scottish seaman. He was awarded the George Cross for his role during the sinking of the Princess Victoria.He was born in Stranraer, Scotland and served in the merchant navy during World War II....
, hero of the 1953 Princess VictoriaMV Princess VictoriaMV Princess Victoria was one of the earliest roll-on/roll-off ferries. Built in 1947, she operated from Stranraer to Larne. During a severe European windstorm on 31 January 1953, she sank in the North Channel with the loss of 133 lives, the deadliest maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters...
sinking - Sir James Caird, agricultural writer and politician
- Colin CalderwoodColin CalderwoodColin Calderwood is a Scottish football player and coach. In November 2011 he was appointed as Chris Hughton's assistant manager at Birmingham City....
, footballer, former manager of Hibernian - John Dalrymple, 1st Earl of StairJohn Dalrymple, 1st Earl of StairJohn Dalrymple the Master of Stair was a Scottish noble who played a crucial role in the 1707 Treaty of Union between the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England, that created the Kingdom of Great Britain....
- sat as MP for the Burgh of Stranraer in the 1689 Convention Parliament - Leander Starr JamesonLeander Starr JamesonSir Leander Starr Jameson, 1st Baronet, KCMG, CB, , also known as "Doctor Jim", "The Doctor" or "Lanner", was a British colonial statesman who was best known for his involvement in the Jameson Raid....
, leader of the Jameson RaidJameson RaidThe Jameson Raid was a botched raid on Paul Kruger's Transvaal Republic carried out by a British colonial statesman Leander Starr Jameson and his Rhodesian and Bechuanaland policemen over the New Year weekend of 1895–96...
, a precursor of the Second Boer WarSecond Boer WarThe Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
, and Prime Minister of the Cape ColonyCape ColonyThe Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
, and Editor of the Wigtownshire Free Press - Robert William JamesonRobert William JamesonRobert William Jameson, WS : A Writer to the Signet in Edinburgh, Town Councillor, newspaper editor, poet and playwright, Robert William Jameson was the father of Sir Leander Starr Jameson, South African statesman and prime minister, and the nephew of Professor Robert Jameson of the University of...
, author, Editor of the Wigtownshire Free Press, and father of Leander Starr JamesonLeander Starr JamesonSir Leander Starr Jameson, 1st Baronet, KCMG, CB, , also known as "Doctor Jim", "The Doctor" or "Lanner", was a British colonial statesman who was best known for his involvement in the Jameson Raid.... - Allan JenkinsAllan Jenkins (footballer)Allan Jenkins is a Scottish professional footballer, who is currently captaining IFA Premiership side Ballymena United....
, footballer - Sir John Noble KennedyJohn Noble KennedyMajor-General Sir John Noble Kennedy GCMG KCVO KBE CB MC was a British Army officer who served as Assistant Chief of the Imperial General Staff during World War II.-Military career:...
, army officer, author and colonial governor - William KingWilliam King (author)William King also known as "Bill King" is the writer of a number of successful science-fiction and fantasy books, most notably in Games Workshop's Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 series, all published by GW's fiction arm, The Black Library...
, author, Slayer novels and Space Wolves, favoured by tabletop gameTabletop gameTabletop game is a general term used to refer to board games, card games, dice games, miniatures wargames, tile-based games and other games that are normally played on a table or other flat surface...
rs - Keith KnoxKeith KnoxKeith Knox , is a Scottish former football defender currently managing Stranraer.-Playing career:Knox started his career with his hometown team, before moving to Clyde in 1987. Knox was a part time player, combining his football career with his duties as a postman. This led to him being given the...
, footballer - Kevin KyleKevin KyleKevin Alistair Kyle is a Scottish footballer who plays as a centre forward for SPL club Hearts.- Early life :...
, footballer - Allan LittleAllan LittleAllan Little is a Special correspondent with the BBC.He graduated from Edinburgh University, where he read History and Politics. Little then joined BBC Scotland in 1983 as a news and current affairs researcher, following which he transferred to London in 1985 to train as a radio reporter...
, BBC foreign correspondent - John Claudius LoudonJohn Claudius LoudonJohn Claudius Loudon was a Scottish botanist, garden and cemetery designer, author and garden magazine editor.-Background:...
, landscape gardener and horticultural writer, who laid out the grounds at Castle Kennedy in 1841 - William Hunter McFadzean, Baron McFadzean, industrialist and President of the Federation of British Industries
- Alexander McGaw, bridgebuilder, and builder of the pedestal of the Statue of LibertyStatue of LibertyThe Statue of Liberty is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, designed by Frédéric Bartholdi and dedicated on October 28, 1886...
in New York Harbor - Hammy McMillanHammy McMillanHammy McMillan is a Scottish curler and world champion. He won a gold medal as skip for the Scottish team at the 1999 Ford World Curling Championships in Saint John, New Brunswick. He has received five gold medals at the European Curling Championships...
, World Curling Champion 1999 - Henry Mavor, electrical engineer and co-founder of a Glasgow company, involved in early public lighting projects and the design of electric maritime engines, and father of playwright James BridieJames BridieJames Bridie was the pseudonym of a Scottish playwright, screenwriter and surgeon whose real name was Osborne Henry Mavor....
(O.H. Mavor) - James MavorJames MavorJames Mavor was a major Canadian economist of late 19th – early 20th centuries. He served as a Professor of Political Economy of the University of Toronto from 1892 to 1923. His influence upon Canadian economic thought is traced to as late as the 1970s...
, economist, economic historian and Professor of Political Economy and Constitutional History at the University of Toronto - John RennieJohn Rennie (naval architect)John Rennie was a naval architect born in Stranraer.Rennie became an apprentice shipwright on the Clyde at Govan but, determined to better himself, studied naval architecture in the evening...
, naval architect - Sir John RossJohn Ross (Arctic explorer)Sir John Ross, CB, was a Scottish rear admiral and Arctic explorer.Ross was the son of the Rev. Andrew Ross, minister of Inch, near Stranraer in Scotland. In 1786, aged only nine, he joined the Royal Navy as an apprentice. He served in the Mediterranean until 1789 and then in the English Channel...
, polar explorer - Peter WilsonPeter Wilson (curler)Peter Wilson is an Irish curler.In 1981, Wilson skipped his native Scotland to a gold medal at the World Junior Curling Championships over Denis Marchand of Canada. Three years later he skipped Scotland to a silver medal at the European Curling Championships, losing to Peter Attinger, Jr. of...
, World Junior Curling champion 1981 - Rory LoyRory LoyRory James Loy is a Scottish professional association football player who is currently playing for the English League One club Carlisle United.-Early life:...
, Scottish Footballer