Local Area
The area has a good number of restaurants and pubs serving meals, and most use local produce in their menus. Spoutwells Farm Self Catering Holiday Cottages is set in open countryside on the outskirts of Stranraer and conveniently situated for the Southern Upland Way, so is perfect for those who enjoy walking. There are excellent cycling routes in the area. Stranraer itself has a very good leisure centre with cinema/concert hall, fitness suites, sauna, gym and swimming pool.
Located in one of the most picturesque corners of Dumfries and Galloway, we’re situated in the perfect position to explore so much of the regions natural beauty. Ideally situated for those who love the sea, walking, gardens as well as water sports and mountain biking or if you want to head over the Irish Sea to Belfast or Larne.
FOOD & DRINK
Dumfries and Galloway boasts a rich and fantastic food and drink scene with many restaurants focusing on local seasonal produce. We recommend booking table at Henrys Bay House which over looks Loch Ryan in Stranraer or why not head to the Tigh-na-Mara, in Sandhead, one of the many neighbouring villages with a good food and drink offering. The annual Oyster Festival is also worth a visit if shell fish is your thing. You won’t taste anything fresher.
For gin connoisseurs visit Scotland’s gin distillery of the year, Crafty Distillery or for whisky lovers Bladnoch Distillery is worth a trip.
LEISURE
Spoutwells Holiday Cottages are situated on the Southern Upland Way. This is a 212 mile walk from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath on the East coast of Scotland. The Mull of Galloway Coastal Trail is also close by.
The Ryan Centre provides fitness suite, free weights suite, indoor games courts, swimming pool, sauna, cinema and live concerts/theatre. Spoutwells Holiday Cottages are about ten minutes walk from town, 3 minutes drive.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Visitor attractions in Stranraer include the Castle of St John, a round tower built in 1500 from which the Sheriff of Wigtown, Graham of Claverhouse, conducted vicious campaigns against the Covenanters and was later used as a prison. Further local history can be found at the Stranraer Museum – which itself is well worth a visit. The Rhins of Galloway are worth exploring in their own right.
MARINA
At the old harbour on Lochryan there is a newly constructed Marina where visitors are welcome to moor their boats. There are also a fair number of slipways in the area for boat launching; Wig Bay (Loch Ryan), Ardwell (Luce Bay), Tarbet (Luce Bay), Port Logan (Irish Sea) and Ardwell Bay (Irish Sea).
SURROUNDING AREA
Spoutwells Farm Holiday Cottages are a convenient base to access the Rhins and the Mull of Galloway, south Ayrshire, The Machars and Galloway Forest Park – the latter has miles and miles of public access routes for cycling and walking. With historic castles, fine gardens, sea and loch fishing, five golf courses, and within easy reach of the fine beaches at Sandhead, New England Bay and Ardwell Bay. The area has a good number of restaurants and pubs serving meals.
The Rhins of Galloway – It’s the Natural Place!
