Stranraer

From Halal Explorer

[[file:Stranraer banner Harbour view - |caption=Stranraer Harbour and Loch Ryan}}

Saint John's Tower - Stranraer - |Saint John's Tower

Stranraer is based in Dumfries and Galloway near the tip of South West (Scotland) | Southwest Scotland. It's a ferry port, connecting Scotland with [[Northern Ireland, though nowadays all ferries run from Cairnryan a few miles north. The town itself has little of interest, but it's a good base for adventuring the scenic Rhins of Galloway and the peninsula stretching north and south of Stranraer.

An alternative base 17 miles south is the village of Drummore: see that page for details of the Logan gardens and fishpond, and the Mull of Galloway.

Travel to Stranraer

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Stranraer

Ferries to [[Northern Ireland nowadays sail from Cairnryan, on the east bank of Loch Ryan a few miles north of Stranraer.

  • Stena Line ferries sail to Belfast from Loch Ryan Port 54.985, -5.036 , north of Cairnryan village and about 8 miles from Stranraer. There are 4-6 ferries per day taking 2 hours 15 min. Buses from Edinburgh run via Glasgow and Ayr to the Stena terminal at Loch Ryan and then onward to Belfast, Dublin and Londonderry. Passengers by rail change to the bus at Ayr. There's a vehicle hire desk at the Loch Ryan terminal.
  • P&O Ferries sail to Larne from Cairnryan harbour 54.962, -5.014 , four miles north of Stranraer. There are six ferries a day taking 2 hours. There is no linked bus service for the P&O sailings, so either catch a local bus (below) or take a taxi.

By Rail

There are four direct Scotrail trains Monday to Saturdayt to Stranraer from Glasgow Central via Kilmarnock, Ayr and Girvan, taking 2 hrs 40 min. It's usually quicker to take the frequent train to Ayr and change.

Travel on a Bus in Stranraer

Scottish Citylink / Ulsterbus 923 runs four times daily from Edinburgh via Glasgow Buchanan Street and Ayr to the Stena terminal at Loch Ryan thence to Stranraer town.

National Express / Ulsterbus 920 runs overnight from London Victoria via Luton airport, Coventry, Birmingham, Manchester airport and city, Preston, Carlisle, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart, Stranraer, Cairnryan then by Stena ferry to Belfast.

Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 500 runs to Stranraer from Dumfries via Castle Douglas, Newton Stewart and Glenluce, Monday to Saturdayt every couple of hours and Sunday every four hours. It doesn't serve Cairnryan.

Stagecoach West Scotland Bus 358 / 360 runs to Stranraer from Girvan Monday to Saturdayt every couple of hours via the two ferry terminals. Four buses a day continue to Ayr.

By car

From England leave M6 at Gretna and follow A75 west past Dumfries. From the Glasgow area follow M77 / A77 southwest via Kilmarnock and Ayr.

How to get around in Stranraer

lat=54.902, -5.024

WCT local bus 350 runs 8 times a day Monday to Saturdayt from Stranraer Charlotte Street to either the Stena or P&O ferry terminal, depending on sailing times.

Bus 367 runs 8 times a day Monday to Saturdayt from Stranraer via Lochans to Portpatrick on the west coast.

Bus 407 runs south down the peninsula from Stranraer via Lochans and Port Logan to Drummore, four times a day Monday to Saturdayt, 45 mins.

What to see in Stranraer

  • Stranraer Museum - 55 George Street, Stranraer DG9 7JP ☎ +44 1776 705088 - Stranraer Museum is housed in the Old Town Hall, built 1776. Discover Wigtownshire's history and that of Stranraer's own Polar explorers. Archaeology, dairy and agriculture feature heavily, with changing temporary exhibitions. Free admission. Open all year (not Sundays or Christmas/New Year holidays).
  • Castle of Street John - Charlotte Street, DG9 7EJ 54.904444, -5.026111 Opening Hours: June- Sept: Tuesday - Saturday 10.00 - 13.00 and 13.30 - 16.30 Free admission Castle of Street John Stranraer Castle - A medieval tower house, built around 1500, used as a military garrison in the 1670s and converted to a jail in the 1820s. Videos and reconstructions tell the sometimes grizzly story of the house. Magnificent views from the top of the tower
  • Castle Kennedy ruins and gardens are off A75 three miles east of town. They're open April - Oct daily 10:00-17:00, adult £5.50.
  • Glenluce Abbey is a ruin off A75 ten miles east of town. It's open April - Sept Sunday - Tuesday 09:30-17:30, adult £5.
  • Portpatrick 54.845, -5.131 is a fishing village set in the cliffs of the Rhins. Until the 19th C it was a port for sailings to [[Northern Ireland (and something of a "Gretna" for quickie-weddings for Irish couples), but it was too exposed and the port shifted to Stranraer. Visit the ruined 17th C Street Patrick's church, Dunskey castle ruins and walled garden, and Cairnpot hill fort. There's a dozen B&Bs here, and the upmarket Mount Stewart Hotel.
  • Sandhead has a good beach. A mile south of the village, turn inland up the lane to Kilmadrine Stones, eight memorial stones from very early Christian times and the three oldest dating to the 6th C.
  • Logan Botanic Garden is a subtropical garden 14 miles south of Stranraer off A716, and the Mull of Galloway is the scenic headland at the tip of the Rhins. See Drummore for details.

What to Do

  • The Southern Upland Way is a long distance coast-to-coast hiking trail. It starts at Portpatrick, follows the coast north then turns east to Stranraer and Castle Kennedy (13.5 miles, 21.5 kilometers, lowland with no great ascent; use OS Landranger maps 309 and 310.) From there it crosses the hills via Sanquhar, Wanlockhead and Beattock to head into the Scottish Borders, eventually reaching the east coast at Cockburnspath.
  • The Mull of Galloway Trail starts at the Mull and runs up the east shore of the Rhins via Drummore and Sandhead to Stranraer (26 miles). It continues up the coast via Cairnryan and Finnart Bay to Glenapp (11 miles), where it joins the Ayrshire Coastal Path to Skelmorlie (100 miles). The Mull-to-Stranraer stage is just right for a marathon, run annually in June, with a half-marathon from Ardwell to Stranraer.
  • Ryan Centre - Has a swimming swimmingpool and theatre and cinema.
  • Stranraer Golf Club is 3 miles northwest of town centre.
  • Stranraer Agricultural Show is held in late July. The next event is tbc, probably Wednesday 31 July 2019.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Stranraer

There's a and Tesco and a Morrisons in town centre.

Halal Restaurants in Stranraer

Kebabs, tandoori, Chinese, fish & chips, all cluster round town centre. Places in Stranraer include Swan Inn, Custom House, Arkhouse Inn, The Pub and The Grapes.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Stranraer

Stranraer - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Stranraer, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stranraer. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Stranraer and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Stranraer. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Stranraer. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inStranraer: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Stranraer.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Stranraer: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Stranraer, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Stranraer.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Stranraer, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Stranraer, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Stranraer and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Stranraer, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Stranraer, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Stranraer without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Stranraer is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Stranraer.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Stranraer is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Stranraer, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Stranraer Media: info@ehalal.io


Muslim Friendly Hotels

  • North West Castle Hotel - Royal Cres DG9 8EH ☎ +44 1776 704413 - B&B double from £90 . This used to be the grand hotel for ferry passengers, but these nowadays bypass Stranraer, so its status, glitter and cleaning schedules are fading into history. How long can its chandeliers, spa and curling rink survive?
  • Luxury at Glenapp Castle, a swish affair 11 miles north of Stranraer off A77. A double room here costs from £200 per day.

News & References Stranraer


Explore more Halal friendly Destinations from Stranraer

It's either east towards Dumfries and Carlisle, north via Ayr towards Glasgow, or hop on a ferry to [[Northern Ireland.


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