The centuries which have passed over Portpatrick have dealt kindly with the village.

At various times in its chequered history Portpatrick has been an important harbour for fishing craft, freight ships, mail packet boats and the Irish ferries, a military base, coastguard station, lifeboat headquarters and holiday resort.

Cradled at the foot of rocky cliffs, Portpatrick looks across 22 miles of the Irish Channel to Donaghdee. The Gulf Stream, flowing into the channel from the north, gives the area a mild climate in which sub-tropical plants and trees flourish.

The village lies at the foot of a deep cleft cut through the cliffs giving easy access into the hills, to Stranraer eight miles away, and to the rest of glorious Galloway.

It is, therefore, an ideal base from which to tour the South West, but the countryside surrounding the village also has much to offer. The coastline north and south of Portpatrick is indented with secluded bays and beaches - Morroch Bay, Sandeel Bay, Lairds Bay and perhaps the loveliest of them all, Killantringan.

This is an excellent area for walks, both difficult and easy, and Portpatrick is at the western end of the Southern Upland Way which runs from the village across the South of Scotland to Cockburnspath on the east coast.

The heart of the Port is its harbour, home of the Portpatrick life-boat. In summer the harbour is thronged with small craft and is ablaze with colour.

Portpatrick is one of 30 stations in Scotland that has a life-boat continually "on call". The life-boat station was established in 1877 and the exhibition, open to visitors, at the harbour is well worth a visit and will serve notice to the valuable work done.

A visit to Portpatrick will reward both the sportsman and the take-things-easy holidaymaker. High on the north cliff is Portpatrick Golf Club with its picturesque 18 hole and 9 hole courses.

There is an excellent beach with launching ramp, rock and freshwater fishing, and several boats take sea anglers out from the harbour to catch wrasse, cod, mackerel, whiting, plaice and skate.

Bowls, tennis and putting are available near the harbour, where water ski-ing is popular during the season. Horse riding and pony trekking may be enjoyed at Lochnaw a few miles away. Sub- aqua clubs visit the area to search for wrecks to be found along the coast such as the Orion, which sank after running aground on rocks at the north end of the village. 

In or near Portpatrick are several hotels, caravan parks and guest houses which cater for visitors who like to tour around or simply stay in the village and enjoy the leisurely life, good food and good company. Proof of the Port's appeal can be seen in the number of people who return, year after year, or make the village their second home.

Find out where to stay and eat in Portpatrick

(Edited extract written by Portpatrick Community Council)