Stranraer - Isn't That Just Where You Catch the Ferry to Belfast? By Michael P Harrison

There are many places in the British Isles that have now become dated, mainly due to the decline of industry and the rise in tourism, and could do with some TLC. Some of these towns and cities have taken the initiative to draw up plans for regeneration and Stranraer is one such place. If you ask most people what they know about about Stranraer, they'll probably say something like "isn't that just the place where you catch the ferry to Belfast" or "I've been through there on the way to Ireland but never stopped". These comments make me cringe every time, because Stranraer has so much more to offer than that, however these assets need to managed and promoted properly. Here's my summary of what these assets are and how they could be used as tourist attractions:

Loch Ryan - Stranraer is at the end of a large sea-loch called Loch Ryan which is, in geographical terms, one in a million. Scenically it is stunning, with views beyond to Ailsa Craig and Arran on the clearest days. But very few people stop and walk round it. What I would like to see is something like what they have a Loch Leven (Kinross) with a path/cycleway all the way round, and heavy promotion of this by Visit Scotland. This has already began with the Loch Ryan Coast Path, which starts in Stranraer and meets up with the Ayrshire Coast Path all the way up to Ardrossan. However, this is already severely under-promoted (there's not even a website) and needs to go all the way round Loch Ryan (perhaps even extending right round the Rhins of Galloway), not just half of it.

Wildlife - Wildlife is often forgotten by Councillors as a tourist attraction and goodness knows why because it's fast becoming big business in the tourism sector and really easy to set something up to harness it. Just look at the Red Kite Trail near Castle Douglas - this has generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue for the local economy. Loch Ryan is particularly important for the only colony of Pale Bellied Brent Geese (that arrive in the winter) in Scotland as well as the thousands of waders and Terns in summer. Loch Ryan already attracts a number of birdwatchers every year because it's such a great spot for it - all we need to do is attract more by providing facilities such as hides, a visitor centre and a network of footpaths. Loch Ryan also hosts many types of fish - from pipefish to grey mullet and I'm positive that a glass bottom boat would go down well (though this may have to wait until Stena Line move's its port further up the coast). Another locally suggested idea is a Sealife Centre displaying creatures from the loch and the Irish Sea.. In all honesty, why isn't Loch Ryan a nature reserve?

History - this area is steeped in history. Heard of the Supermarine Stranraer? These were the flying boats used in World War II and named after, you guessed it, Stranraer, though they were actually stationed up the coast by Kirkcolm. On the other side of Loch Ryan is Cairnryan - named as "military port no.2" in the second world war (in case Southampton or Glasgow were destroyed), this was also where the Mulberry (floating) Harbour was built for use in Normandy in 1944. This is why Stranraer would be an ideal location for a Military/Maritime Museum.

So you can see that Stranraer and surrounding area has quite a lot to offer - it all just needs focus and dedication. The next time your on your way to Belfast, think about stopping over a night in Stranraer and checking it out for yourself.

Mike Harrison is a web professional and photographer, who also happens to be webmaster for the Visit Stranraer and the Rhins tourist information site.

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