July 2024. Anchored just off the entrance to the marina in good holding 5m depth.
The channel to Stranraer is now not marked. The one time row of green buoys right the way to the harbour are no more. The one green mark that is necessary to round for entry to the Whig area is replaced with a smaller one, but there's no more marks to S of this one. The channel is still about 5-6m depth, but there's enough water anywhere for all but the deepest draft yachts. There's a few V berths in the marina, but shallow at LW.

In September 2022 I exchanged vessels requiring lift/launch at Stranraer harbour only to find that the crane is not staffed at weekends, and thus had to hire a crane from an independent operator at excessive cost. I also asked at Girvan and Troon only to be advised their cranes do not work weekends either.

No changes - but, if you are very deep keeled keep an eye on the depths from the Spit buoy in

I've reviewed these notes in July 2021. Not a lot changed here. They now have a lift out facility and their prices have increased.

These notes were reviewed in July 2019. Prices have changed and we've updated the charts.

I reviewed these notes in April 2017. The price per night has changed but little else.

I am a berth-holder. The feedback from most of our visitors is good, with friendly welcome. There is ALWAYS space for a few more. Apart from a NW gale, the marina is well sheltered. Facilities in the town involve a trip for fuel (a local will usually offer you a lift) and there are general/agricultural engineers who will turn a hand to most repairs. There will soon be a lift-out facility.

The town is better served with good pubs and restaurants than ever - the Grapes is an excellent traditional pub with real ales; Henry's restaurant is a few hundred yards away for a little more gourmet experience; Craignelder great pub food and the North-West Castle is a grand dining room and good value. At the budget end there are good Indian and Chinese food and a Belhaven pub/Restaurant within 50 yards.

Good local butchers and bakers and supermarkets close by. rail and bus connections to Glasgow and Dumfries.

Portpatrick is a great day walk of about 10 miles on the Souther upland way - good footpath and quiet roads with the charm and restaurants that have been there for many years.

These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2015. There has been a slight change in prices since we last checked but much is the same. The harbour office hours may change this summer to become HO but until then they will remain split shift with a "long lunch".

The notes for Stranraer and Loch Ryan were updated by Don T on the 11th March 2013. The opening of the Loch Ryan Port terminal has left the South end of the Loch free of ferries and, whilst it has concentrated the ferry traffic on the East side of the Loch, it has made little difference to the cruising yachtsman. The provision of a Marina at Stranraer has greatly improved facilities there and the new prices for 2013 have been included

I anchored overnight in Lady Bay in the early noughties and had a pleasant stop. Wash from the ferries didn't pose a problem though their coming and going was a bit noisy. I was North bound to the Clyde from Devon in a 22footer so stopping there saved a couple of hours (at least) of transitting up and down the loch. The bonus? As I was hauling in the chain to sail off the anchor an otter popped his head out of the water about ten yards off the port bow and said good morning - a lovely start to what was a memorable day's sail.