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Portpatrick is one of the country's most picturesque harbour villages.
Situated on the south-west
coast of Scotland, Portpatrick is just 18 miles from the coast of Ireland which can be clearly seen on a fine day.
This part of Scotland benefits from the warm air of the Gulf Stream and Portpatrick enjoys the most sunny days in Dumfries
and Galloway. Because of this, many sub-tropical plants thrive here and palm trees are a common sight.
The village
was named after St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, who is reputed to have sailed from Portpatrick. Because of its proximity
to Ireland, a ferry service was started as early as 1616 although the first proper harbour wasn't built until 1770.
By 1849, ferry services to Northern Ireland moved to the more sheltered port of Stranraer.
The modern
church in Portpatrick is Victorian, but the remains of the 17th Century St Andrews Kirk remain, most notably the tower which
is said to have been an early lighthouse!
The village has also acted as Galloway's Gretna Green for eloping
Irish couples.
The unspoilt and picturesque nature of Portpatrick makes it a popular destination for visitors.
The village was also used as a film location for the BBC TV series 2000 Acres of Sky. The 'island' scenes
were filmed a short distance along the coast at Port Logan.
Things to do
in Portpatrick
Exploring the picturesque village is always enjoyable and there are a range of interesting
small shops selling local crafts, gifts and antiques as well as a number of places to eat or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
The village also has a children's play area, an 18-hole putting green and a small museum in the RNLI lifeboat
station.
A short walk away along a spectacular cliff top path, you can visit the ruins of Dunskey Castle. Built
in the 16th Century for the Adairs of Kinhilt, the castle was uninhabited as early as 1700. It is rumoured that the ruin is
haunted!
Portpatrick is also the start of the coast-to-coast Southern Upland Way walk to Cockburnspath in the Borders
- a total distance of 212 miles.
Portpatrick hosts an annual Lifeboat Week in aid of the RNLI.
Although
people love Portpatrick and the surrounding area for its stunning views, coastline and tranquility, there is plenty to see
and do during your stay in this beautiful and unspoilt part of Scotland.
The Mull of Galloway (about 20 miles away)
is Scotland's Land's End. A spectacular and narrow peninsula, the Mull of Galloway is on the same latitude as Sunderland
in North East England and has a lighthouse and an RSPB reserve.
The area also boasts several beautiful gardens
including the Logan Royal Botanic Garden, Scotland's most exotic garden which is open to the public between March and
October. Other local gardens which open to the public are: Dunskey, Glenwhan, Ardwell House and Logan House.
Also
within Wigtownshire is Scotland's National Book Town at Wigtown; the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland, Whithorn;
Britain's largest forest park, the Galloway Forest; Britain's largest local nature reserve, also at Wigtown, Scotland's
most southerly distillery at Bladnoch and Glenluce Abbey, part of a pilgrimage trail of Scotland's Kings and Queens.
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