Stranraer
Stranraer is the main link from Scotland to Ireland and is undergoing major economic regeneration.
Stranraer is the largest settlement in south west Scotland. It lies at the head of Loch Ryan, on the north side of the neck of land that prevents the Rhins of Galloway becoming an island.
The town's origins date back nearly 500 years to the building in 1511 of Stranraer Castle, also known as the Castle of St John. This now stands in the centre of the town, but it was originally built behind the broad beach at the head of Loch Ryan. Only later did a settlement begin to grow around it. The Castle of St John now houses a museum.
By 1600 it had become the market town for the Rhins of Galloway to the west and the rural areas to the east. At about this time Stranraer was reached by a military road built from Dumfries to allow easier access to Portpatrick, then the main port for Ireland. This in turn led to Stranraer featuring on the drove route used by Irish cattle being moved to market in Dumfries.
It was only in the mid 1700s that a harbour was first built in Stranraer itself, and further port development took place in the 1820s. But it was the coming of the railway from Dumfries in 1861 which finally established Stranraer as the area's main port.
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Weather for Newton Stewart
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
