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EuropeUnited KingdomScotland

Stranraer

Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe

About Stranraer

Stranraer sits on the route: 15 minutes from Cairnryan, 57km from Electric Brae.

Stranraer is a town located in Scotland, United Kingdom. With a population of 10,510, it is an important destination in Europe.

On a road trip, Stranraer sits in United Kingdom, where you drive on the left. It's in the Europe/London time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Stranraer to your route.

About Stranraer

Stranraer (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Sròn Reamhar [ən̪ˠˌt̪ʰɾɔːn ˈɾãũ.əɾ]), also known as The Toon or The Cleyhole, is a town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, on Loch Ryan and the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland. Stranraer is Dumfries and Galloway's second-largest town, with a

Read more population of 10,593. Stranraer is the administrative centre for the Wigtownshire area of Dumfries and Galloway. It was formerly a ferry port, connecting Scotland with Belfast and Larne in Northern Ireland; the service was transferred to nearby Cairnryan in 2011. It lies 87 miles (140 km) south-west of Glasgow, 52 miles (84 km) south-west of Ayr and 72 miles (116 km) west of Dumfries. The town's English name comes from its Scottish Gaelic counterpart An t-Sròn Reamhar, meaning "the broad headland" or "the fat nose".

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Stranraer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Stranraer?

Stranraer offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Stranraer?

Plan your road trip to Stranraer with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Stranraer as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Stranraer located?

Stranraer is located in Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe. The coordinates are 54.9023 latitude, -5.0273 longitude.

What is the population of Stranraer?

Stranraer has a population of approximately 10,510 people, making it a town in United Kingdom.

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Quick Information

Population
10,510
Continent
Europe
Country
United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Timezone
Europe/London
Coordinates
54.9023, -5.0273

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United Kingdom

Police
999
Ambulance
999
Fire
999
Non-emergency police
101
Driving side
left

112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.

Full driving guide for United Kingdom

Tags

EuropeUnited KingdomScotlandTown

Worth the detour from Stranraer

5 notable places within an hour's drive.

scenic viewpoint

The Gobbins

A dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.

46 km · about 55 min drive

castle

Carrickfergus Castle

One of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland, guarding Belfast Lough for over 800 years from its commanding waterfront position.

54 km · about 60 min drive

museum

Ulster Transport Museum

Major transport museum at Cultra near Belfast, home to a gull-winged DeLorean DMC-12 built just miles away, Irish-built cars, locomotives and a renowned Titanic exhibition.

57 km · about 65 min drive

famous road

Electric Brae

Famous optical-illusion stretch of the A719 on the Ayrshire coast where cars appear to roll uphill. Drivers have pulled over to test the gravity-defying slope since the 1930s.

57 km · about 65 min drive

historic highway

Craigantlet Hillclimb

A hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Stranraer

  • 46 kmThe GobbinsA dramatic Edwardian cliff-path of bridges and tunnels clinging to the basalt cliffs of Islandmagee.
  • 57 kmElectric BraeFamous optical-illusion stretch of the A719 on the Ayrshire coast where cars appear to roll uphill. Drivers have pulled over to test the gravity-defying slope since the 1930s.
  • 58 kmCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
  • 68 kmAntrim Coast RoadA breathtaking coastal drive hugging cliffs and beaches from Larne past the Glens of Antrim toward the Causeway.
  • 74 kmTorr Head Scenic RouteWhite-knuckle single-track coastal road off the main Causeway route between Ballycastle and Cushendun, clinging to steep headlands at Torr Head where Scotland's Mull of Kintyre looms just 12 miles across the sea.
  • 74 kmTorr Head Coast RoadA steep single-track detour off the Causeway Coastal Route in Antrim, with views across to the Mull of Kintyre.

Driving in United Kingdom

Drives on
the left
Petrol
~€1.73/litre
Motorway tolls
None

When to drive here

April to October

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Stranraer.

Cairnryan

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 km awayPop. 3,757

Newton Stewart

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

35 km awayPop. 4,010

Girvan

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

39 km awayPop. 6,650

Donaghadee

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

44 km awayPop. 7,369

Millisle

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

46 km awayPop. 1,914

Whitehead

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

47 km awayPop. 3,697

Bangor

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

49 km awayPop. 61,011

Ballywalter

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

50 km awayPop. 1,572

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence