Portpatrick tourist information

The picturesque old harbour of Portpatrick is one of the loveliest places to visit in South West Scotland, on the beautiful pennisula of the Rhinns of Galloway.

The village is found in a peaceful and unspoilt part of Scotland in the extreme South West, which has been popular with visitors for generations. Portpatrick is a very pleasant place to stroll, amongst characterful cottages and down to the local fishing boats at the waterside. This craggy coast has always been a challenge to sailors and even the enclosed harbour proved no match for the larger boats, who eventually found other, less stormy, ports.

The wonderful coastline is perfect for walking, and just along the coast is the dramatic ruin of 16th century Dunskey Castle, in its fantastic setting on the rocky clifftop.

The challenging long-distance footpath The Southern Upland Way starts (or finishes, depending on your route) in Portpatrick, before passing through the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway countryside on its 212 mile journey to the East coast.