Overlooking Loch Ryan, Cairnryan is a historic village dating back to 1701. It was once an important staging post for coaches travelling to Ayr and was where the Atlantic U-boat fleet surrendered at the end of World War II before being sunk in the North Channel.
One of Cairnryan’s most prominent landmarks is the whitewashed Loch Ryan Lighthouse, which was constructed by Alan Stevenson in 1847. It watches over the eastern entrance to Loch Ryan, whose calm waters serve ferries travelling between Scotland and Northern Ireland. On its shore is “the Scar”, a sandbank that provides an important breeding ground for terns.
On the opposite side of Loch Ryan from Cairnryan is Aldouran Wetland Garden, which features raised drywall beds and mature trees. You can stretch your legs on the boardwalk that leads through its adjacent wetland or spot native wildlife such as red squirrels and woodland birds from the hide.
Getting there
Cairnryan is just under two hours’ drive from Glasgow and 1.5 hours from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Cairnryan and the village is small enough to explore on foot. Ferries travel from Cairnryan to Larne and Belfast.