Editing Stranraer

{{Short description|Town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland}}
{{About|the town in Scotland|the village in Canada|Stranraer, Saskatchewan|the aircraft|Supermarine Stranraer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Infobox UK place
| country                          = Scotland
| official_name                    = Stranraer
| type                             = [[Town]] and [[sea port]]
| static_image_name                = File:Stranraer - view west.JPG
| static_image_width               = 280px
| static_image_alt                 = <!-- for a description of the image per [[WP:ALT]] -->
| static_image_caption             = Stranraer looking west from the castle tower, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
| gaelic_name                      = An t-Sròn Reamhar<ref>[http://www.ainmean-aite.org/database.asp?intent=details&id=544/''Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba ~ Gaelic Place-names of Scotland'']</ref>
| scots_name                       = Stranrawer<ref>[http://www.scotslanguage.com/books/view/1/823/Names%20in%20Scots%20-%20Places%20in%20Scotland Scots Language Centre: Scottish Place Names in Scots]</ref>
| population                       = {{Scottish locality population|name|POP=Stranraer}}
| population_ref                   = ({{Scottish settlement population citation|year}})<ref>{{Scottish settlement population citation}}</ref>
| os_grid_reference                = NX059606
| coordinates                      = {{coord|54.902|-5.027|display=inline,title}}
| unitary_scotland                 = [[Dumfries and Galloway]]
| lieutenancy_scotland             = [[Wigtownshire|Wigtown]]
| constituency_westminster         = [[Dumfries and Galloway (UK Parliament constituency)|Dumfries and Galloway]]
| constituency_scottish_parliament = [[Galloway and West Dumfries (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Galloway and West Dumfries]]
| post_town                        = STRANRAER
| postcode_district                = DG9
| postcode_area                    = DG
| edinburgh_distance_mi            = 102
| london_distance                  = {{convert|310|mi|km|abbr=on|0}}
| dial_code                        = 01776
}}

'''Stranraer''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|s|t|r|æ|n|ˈ|r|ɑ:r}} {{respell|stran|RAR}},<ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/Stranraer |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215161849/https://www.lexico.com/definition/stranraer |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 February 2020 |title=Stranraer |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> <small>in Scotland also</small> {{IPAc-en|s|t|r|ə|n|'|-}} {{respell|strən|-}};{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} {{langx|gd|An t-Sròn Reamhar}} {{IPA|gd|ən̪ˠˌt̪ʰɾɔːn ˈɾãũ.əɾ|}}), also known as '''The Toon''' or '''The Cleyhole''',<ref>https://d3lmsxlb5aor5x.cloudfront.net/library/document/Map_of_Scotland_in_Scots-Guide_and_gazetteer.pdf</ref> is a town in [[Dumfries and Galloway]], [[Scotland]], on [[Loch Ryan]] and the northern side of the [[isthmus]] joining the [[Rhins of Galloway]] to the mainland. Stranraer is [[Dumfries and Galloway]]'s second-largest town, with a population of 10,593.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ward 1 - Stranraer and the Rhins |url=https://www.dumgal.gov.uk/article/17199/Ward-1-Stranraer-and-the-Rhins |access-date=2024-07-29 |website=Dumfries and Galloway Council |language=en}}</ref>

Stranraer is the administrative centre for the [[Wigtownshire]] area of Dumfries and Galloway. It was formerly a ferry port, connecting Scotland with [[Belfast]] and [[Larne]] in [[Northern Ireland]]; the service was transferred to nearby [[Cairnryan]] in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 November 2011 |title=Stranraer harbour bids farewell to ferries |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-15780705}}</ref> It lies {{convert|87|mi|0}} south-west of [[Glasgow]], {{convert|52|mi|0}} south-west of [[Ayr]] and {{convert|72|mi|0}} west of [[Dumfries]].

The name comes from Scottish Gaelic, ''[[Sròn|An t-Sròn]] Reamhar'', meaning "the broad headland" or "the fat nose".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaelic Place-Names of Scotland database |url=https://www.ainmean-aite.scot/placename/stranraer/ |access-date=22 April 2017 |publisher=[[Ainmean-Àite na h-Alba]]}}</ref>

==History==
The Battle of Loch Ryan was fought near Stranraer on 9/10 February 1307 during the [[Scottish Wars of Independence]]. King [[Robert I of Scotland]]'s invasion of his ancestral lands in [[Annandale, Dumfries and Galloway|Annandale]] and [[Carrick, Scotland|Carrick]] began in 1307. The Annandale and Galloway invasion force was led by his brothers [[Alexander de Brus]] and [[Thomas de Brus]], Malcolm McQuillan, Lord of Kintyre, an Irish sub-king and Sir [[Reginald Crawford (d.1307)|Reginald de Crawford]]. The force consisted of 1,000 men and 18 galleys. They sailed into Loch Ryan and landed near Stranraer.

The invasion force was quickly overwhelmed by local forces, led by [[Dungal MacDouall]], who was a supporter of the Balliols, Comyns and King Edward I of England, and only two galleys escaped. All the leaders were captured. MacDouall summarily executed the Irish sub-king and Malcolm McQuillan, Lord of Kintyre. Alexander, Thomas and Reginald de Crawford were sent to Carlisle, England, where they were executed. The heads of McQuillan and two Irish chiefs were sent to King Edward I.

On 12 November 1595, the ''Clashant of Stranrawer'' was named part of Ninian Adair's lands of Barony <ref>[https://archive.org/stream/hereditarysherif01agne#page/431/mode/1up "Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway" at Openlibrary.org]</ref> and, in 1596, was erected into a [[burgh of barony]], the Barony of Kinhilt. This is recorded in the Register of the [[Great Seal of Scotland]].<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/registrummagnisi06scot#page/123/mode/1up Register Great Seal of Scotland, vol. 6, pp. 123-124.]</ref> The partial translation into English is: <blockquote>At [[Linlithgow]], 12 November 1595, the King confirms and for faithful service again dedicates to Ninian Adair of Kinhilt, and the legitimate male heirs of his body, which failing his nearest legitimate male heirs whosoever bear the name and insignia of Adair[, various lands....] In addition, the King creates the village at Clauchane de Stranraer as a free burgh of the barony with a free port, called the Burgh and Port of Stranraer; and the said Ninian etc shall have the authority to appoint a [[bailiff]], treasurer, [[Dean of Guild]], magistrate, [[burgess (title)|burgess]]es, officials etc; and the burgesses shall have the authority and leave to pack and unpack [meaning the selling of bulk merchandise (wholesale trade) allowed by law only by free men in a free burgh], to buy and sell [also allowed only in a free burgh] etc; [...] and the said Ninian etc shall have authority to hold the position of governor of the said burgh, [...] to hold weekly markets on Saturday, with free (untaxed) market days twice a year, viz [[Barnabas|Saint Barnabas]]' day the 11th of June, and at Peter's Imprisonment called [[Lammas]] on the 1st of August, [...] and the said Ninian etc shall have authority over all the port customs of the said burgh raised by sea or land among the land tenents of the said burgh and support of the said port; and the said Ninian etc shall have authority to receive resignations of lands of the said burgh etc [i.e. recover his lands from towns people who choose to sell them or give them up]; from those persons whatsoever who chose to dispose of them; the townspeople may meet three times a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.</blockquote>

By 1600, Stranraer had become the market town for western [[Wigtownshire]]. Around this time, Stranraer was reached by a military road built from [[Dumfries]] to allow easier access to [[Portpatrick]] for transportation of people to Ireland for the [[Plantation of Ulster]]. Stranraer became a [[royal burgh]] in 1617.

The first harbour in Stranraer was built in the mid-18th century, with further port development in the 1820s. The arrival of the railway from Dumfries in 1861 (closed 1965), giving the shortest journey to/from London, finally established Stranraer as the area's main port. In 1862, the line was extended to serve the harbour directly, and a link to Portpatrick was also opened. In 1877, a rail connection north to [[Girvan]] and [[Glasgow]] was also established. Stranraer remained the main Scottish port for the Irish ferries for the next 150 years or so. On 31 January 1953, 133 people died when the ''[[MV Princess Victoria|Princess Victoria]]'' sank near [[Belfast Lough]] after its car deck was swamped by heavy seas.

Stranraer and its surrounding area saw a significant amount of activity during the [[World War II|Second World War]], as it became a focus for anti-U-boat work. Flying boats operated from the area in an attempt to secure the waters of the [[North Channel (British Isles)|North Channel]] and the south western coast of Scotland. Almost all of Britain's shipping imports passed through those two sea areas en route to the Clyde or the Mersey. Indeed, the flying boat ''[[Supermarine Stranraer]]'' is named after the town. Winston Churchill himself departed from Stranraer in a Boeing Flying Boat on the night of 25 June 1942, when making his second visit of the war to the United States. Churchill also spent time at nearby Knockinaam Lodge during the war years.

Stranraer has an active local history trust, which publishes work on the area's history, commissioned from local authors.<ref>[https://stranraerhistory.org.uk/ Local history trust]</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Stranraer Station - geograph.org.uk - 934303.jpg|thumb|The railway station platform]]

[[Stranraer railway station]] is the southern terminus of a branch of the [[Glasgow South Western Line]]. [[ScotRail]] provides five services per day to [[Ayr railway station|Ayr]], with one train extending to {{rws|Kilmarnock}} and another onto {{rws|Glasgow Central}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables |work=ScotRail |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=28 November 2024 |url=https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables}}</ref>
Connections to the [[West Coast Main Line]] can be made at Glasgow Central or indirectly via {{rws|Carlisle}}; [[Avanti West Coast]] [[inter-city rail|inter-city]] services reach [[Euston railway station|London Euston]] and other destinations such as {{rws|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Crewe}} and {{rws|Birmingham New Street}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our latest timetables and ticket info |work=Avanti West Coast |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=28 November 2024 |url= https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables}}</ref>

The [[A77 road|A77]] runs north towards [[Ayr]], [[Prestwick]] and [[Glasgow]]. The [[A75 road|A75]] runs east from Stranraer to [[Gretna Green|Gretna]], with links to the [[M6 motorway|M6]] going to [[Carlisle, Cumbria|Carlisle]]. The A75 is part of [[European route E18]], but, like all [[International E-road network|European routes]], it is not signposted as such in the [[United Kingdom]].

Local bus transport in and around the town is provided predominantly by [[Stagecoach West Scotland]], along with local companies including Wigtownshire Community Transport and McCulloch's Coaches. [[Scottish Citylink]] operates a service to [[Buchanan Bus Station|Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/stranraer |website=bustimes.org |title=Stranraer bus services |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref>

In November 2011, [[Stena Line]] relocated its ferry services to a new port at Old House Point, north of [[Cairnryan]], which is a few miles north of Stranraer. The existing port in Stranraer may be redeveloped with the departure of Stena Line; proposals to build a transport hub have been made.<ref>[http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=786&p=0 Dumfries and Galloway Council] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152810/http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=786&p=0 |date=2012-03-04 }}</ref>

==Economy==
The main industries in the area are the ferry port, with associated industries, tourism and, more traditionally, farming.

==Redevelopment==
The [[European Union]] was partly financing "The Stranraer and [[Loch Ryan]] Waterfront Project" to regenerate the area.<ref>"Stranraer and Loch Ryan Waterfront: Development Framework" [http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=786&p=0 Dumfries and Galloway Council.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304152810/http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=786&p=0 |date=2012-03-04 }}</ref>

At an estimated cost of £1.29m, the Castle Square development was the first phase of the redevelopment of Stranraer town centre and significantly changed the flow of traffic, with Castle Street and George Street both being narrowed in a bid to be more pedestrian friendly.<ref>"Regenerating Stranraer" [http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=3893&p=0 Dumfries and Galloway Council.]</ref> By January 2010, work on the streets around the town centre was complete, with the streets around the Castle of St John re-paved and re-profiled. The Castle Square was formally unveiled in March 2011 and has so far hosted a range of activities, including music and family events.

Stranraer is currently undergoing redevelopment in the South Central Area (known as Dick's Hill, Ochtrelure and the southern part of Liddesdale Road area into the Gallow Hill).

==Historic and notable buildings==
[[File:Stranraer Museum (geograph 1688392).jpg|thumb|The Old Town Hall, completed in 1777; now occupied by the Stranraer Museum]]

The [[Castle of St John]] is a [[medieval]] [[tower house]], built around 1500 by the Adairs of Kilhilt. It has been used as a home, a court, a prison, and a military garrison, the last during [[the Killing Time]] in the 1680s. The [[Old Town Hall, Stranraer|Old Town Hall]], built in 1776,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://canmore.org.uk/site/60827/stranraer-55-george-street-old-town-hall |title=Stranraer, 55 George Street, Old Town Hall|publisher=Canmore| access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref>  now houses the Stranraer Museum with its displays of [[Victorian era|Victorian]] Wigtownshire and the town's polar explorers, [[John Ross (Royal Navy officer)|Sir John Ross]] and his nephew [[James Clark Ross]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.culture24.org.uk/sc000065|title=Stranraer Museum|publisher=Culture 24| access-date=10 November 2021}}</ref> The town is also home to the [[North West Castle]], built in 1820 and the first hotel in the world with its own indoor curling ice rink.<ref>[http://www.electricscotland.com/history/women/curling.htm ElectricScotland]</ref><ref>[http://www.northwestcastle.co.uk/curling.htm North West Castle]</ref>

==Tourist attractions==
Other local tourist attractions include:
* [[Ardwell|Ardwell Gardens]] – landscape gardens
* Castle Kennedy Gardens<ref>[http://stranraer.eventseekr.com/castle-kennedy-gardens/tourist-attractions-sightseeing/venue/691149 Castle Kennedy Gardens]</ref> – a {{convert|75|acre|ha|adj=on}} garden between two lochs, noted for its [[rhododendrons]], [[azaleas]] and [[embothrium]]s in the grounds of Lochinch Castle, the seat of the [[Earl of Stair|Earls of Stair]].
* [[Glenluce Abbey]] – a [[12th century]] [[Cistercian]] monastery.
* Glenwhan Gardens <ref>[http://www.glenwhangardens.co.uk/ Glenwhan Gardens]</ref> – a {{convert|12|acre|ha|adj=on}} garden near [[Dunragit]].
* [[Logan Botanic Garden]], near [[Port Logan]] village – one of the four sites of the [[RBGE|Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh]].
* [[Mull of Galloway]] – the most southerly point of Scotland, with a lighthouse, visitor centre and [[RSPB]] bird reserve.
* [[Portpatrick]] – small fishing town
* The Robert the Bruce Trail begins at Loch Ryan, near Stranraer.<ref>[http://www.sulwathconnections.org/uploads/reports/Leaflet2010.pdf The Robert the Bruce Trail brochure]</ref>
* [[Southern Upland Way]] – a {{convert|212|mi|km|adj=on}} coast-to-coast path between [[Portpatrick]] and [[Cockburnspath]].
* [[Whithorn]] – with its relics of [[St Ninian]].
* [[Wigtown]] – Scotland's national book town.

==Education==
The town of Stranraer has five [[primary school]]s: Belmont, Park, Rephad, Sheuchan and St. Joseph's R.C., while villages in the local area usually have their own local school or nursery.

The secondary school, [[Stranraer Academy]], is a [[comprehensive school]] consisting of one modern building (New Building Phase 2 completed in 2010). The school has around 1,200 pupils, 90 members of staff and serves the area of Stranraer, the Rhins, and parts of the Machars, Wigtownshire. Stranraer Academy has another seven associated primary schools from areas outwith Stranraer: [[Glenluce]], Castle Kennedy, Drummore, [[Kirkcolm]], [[Leswalt]], Sandhead and [[Portpatrick]]. The original [[Stranraer Academy]] was opened in 1845 on the site of the present Stranraer Campus of Dumfries and Galloway College. In 1965, a new Academy  was built alongside a new High School  and in 1970 the schools amalgamated.

[[Dumfries and Galloway College]] has a campus in the town. In 1990, the John Niven Further Education College was built on Academy Street in the town; it has since been absorbed into the Dumfries and Galloway College.

==Sport==
The town is the home of [[Stranraer F.C.]], the local semi-professional football team who play at [[Stair Park]]. They currently play in [[Scottish League Two]].

The rugby team [[Wigtownshire RFC]] are based in the town, playing at London Road Playing Fields, opposite Stair Park<ref>[http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/wigtownshire/location/ Location of Wigtownshire RFC pitch, Pitchero.com]</ref> and are currently in [[West Regional Leagues (Rugby Union)|West League Division 2]].

Also at Stair Park are [[BMX]] and [[skateboarding]] ramps,<ref>[http://rpu.dumgal.gov.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/agenda/012823.pdf Dumfries and Galloway Council; see item 6.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826101316/http://rpu.dumgal.gov.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/agenda/012823.pdf |date=26 August 2011 }}</ref> and all-weather tennis and netball courts. The town also has a swimming pool (with flume), fitness suite, gymnasium and large sports hall at the council-run Ryan Centre,<ref>[http://www.dgcommunity.net/dgcommunity/miniweb.aspx?id=201 The Ryan Centre] Dumfries and Galloway Community</ref> as well as other football fields, parks and all-weather multi-purpose pitches.

Throughout the years, Stranraer has also been a centre of excellence for Scottish [[curling]]. The town boasts the first hotel in the world with an indoor curling ice rink ([[North West Castle]]), and was the birthplace of [[Hammy McMillan]], a World Champion curler, and current resident. The town is host to a number of annual curling championships, including the Scottish Ladies Curling Championship and the World Juniors Curling Championship.<ref>Westbrook, Kieran (11 March 2011) "Lockerbie and Stranraer curlers in World Juniors Final". [http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfries-sport/other-sport-dumfries/2011/03/11/lockerbie-and-stranraer-curlers-in-world-juniors-final-51311-28314059/ ''Dumfries and Galloway Standard''.]</ref><ref>(28 February 2011) "Vicki takes Scottish title". [http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/vicki_takes_scottish_title_1_1476444 ''Galloway Gazette''.]</ref><ref>(20 March 2011) "Top of the World". [http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/top_of_the_world_1_1507924 ''Galloway Gazette''.]</ref>

In 2019, the Scottish Coastal Rowing world championships, Skiffieworld, was held at Stranraer between 7 and 13 July. Over 50 clubs raced [[St. Ayles Skiff|St Ayles Skiffs]] during the week.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stranraer to Host Skiffieworlds 2019 |url=https://scottishcoastalrowing.org/2018/01/10/stranraer-to-host-skiffieworlds-2019}}</ref>

==Public services==
[[NHS Dumfries and Galloway]] provides healthcare services in the town. The [[Galloway Community Hospital]] opened in 2006; it replaced the town's Garrick and Dalrymple hospitals. [[General practitioner|GP]] services are based in the Waverly Medical Centre, adjacent to the new hospital.<ref>[http://www.waverleymedicalcentre.org/ Waverly Medical Centre]</ref>

The town has several care homes for the elderly, the biggest being Thorneycroft on the edges of the town, run by the Park Homes UK company.<ref>[http://www.c-i-c.co.uk/thorneycroft.html Care Homes – Thorneycroft]</ref>

==Districts==
*Ailsa Gait
*Ailsa View
*Bishopburn
*Ochtrelure
*Sheuchan Parks / Liddesdale
*Stair
*Stranraer Town
*West End

===Outer districts===
*Auchtrelure
*Blackparks
*Culhorn
*Gallowhill
*Inchparks
*Innermessan
*Sandmill
*Soulseat

==Media==
Local newspaper the ''[[Stranraer and Wigtownshire Free Press]]'' is based and was previously printed in the town's St Andrews Street. The ''Galloway Gazette'' also covers the town and surrounding area.<ref>http://www.gallowaygazette.co.uk/ The Galloway Gazette</ref>

Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC Scotland]] and [[ITV Border]]. Television signals are received from the local relay transmitter. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Stranraer |title=Stranraer (Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland) Freeview Light transmitter |date=May 2004}}</ref>

Stranraer’s local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Scotland]] on 94.1 and [[Greatest Hits Radio Dumfries & Galloway]] broadcasts at 96.5 FM in the town.<ref>[http://www.westsoundradio.com/ West Sound FM]</ref>

== Notable people==
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->
*[[Vicki Adams]], Olympic medalist in [[curling]]
*[[Richard Arkless]], former MP
*[[David Broadfoot]], hero of the 1953 [[MV Princess Victoria|''Princess Victoria'']] sinking
*[[James Caird (1816-1892)|Sir James Caird]], agricultural writer and politician
*[[Colin Calderwood]], football player and manager
*[[James Dalrymple, 1st Viscount of Stair]], jurist and author of the Institutions of the Laws of Scotland
*[[John Dalrymple, 1st Earl of Stair]], sat as MP for the Burgh of Stranraer in the 1689 Convention Parliament
*[[Craig Hamilton]], [[Rugby union|rugby player]]
*[[Thomas de Courcy Hamilton|Thomas Hamilton]], recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]]
*[[Ryan Hardie]], footballer
*[[Emma Harper]], MSP
*[[Leander Starr Jameson]], leader of the [[Jameson Raid]], a precursor of the [[Second Boer War]], and Prime Minister of the [[Cape Colony]], and editor of the ''Wigtownshire Free Press''
*[[Robert William Jameson]], author, editor of the ''Wigtownshire Free Press'', and father of [[Leander Starr Jameson]]
*[[Allan Jenkins (footballer)|Allan Jenkins]], footballer
*[[John Kennedy (British Army officer, born 1893)|Sir John Noble Kennedy]], army officer, author and colonial governor
*[[William King (author)|William King]], writer of a number of science fiction and fantasy books most notably in Games Workshop's Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 series.
*[[Keith Knox]], footballer
*[[Kevin Kyle]], footballer
*[[Allan Little]], BBC foreign correspondent
*[[John Livingstone (minister)|John Livingstone]], minister banished to Rotterdam
*[[John Claudius Loudon]], landscape gardener and horticultural writer, who laid out the grounds at Castle Kennedy in 1841
*[[Rory Loy]], footballer
*[[Robert McDouall]], officer, Napoleonic Wars
*[[William McFadzean, Baron McFadzean]], industrialist and President of the Federation of British Industries
*[[Hammy McMillan]], [[List of World Curling Men's Champions|World Curling Champion]], 1999
*[[Shaun McSkimming]], footballer
*[[James Mavor]], economist, economic historian and Professor of Political Economy and Constitutional History at the University of Toronto
*[[Hugh Nibloe]], Wheelchair Curler
*[[Robert Pringle (British army officer)|Sir Robert Pringle]], Director-General [[Royal Army Veterinary Corps|Army Veterinary Corps]] 1910-1917
*[[John Rennie (naval architect)|John Rennie]], naval architect
*[[John Ross (Arctic explorer)|Sir John Ross]], polar explorer
*[[David Speirs]], Australian politician
*[[Leslie Strathie|Dame Leslie Strathie]], [[Chief Executive]] of [[HM Revenue and Customs]]
*[[Peter Wilson (curler)|Peter Wilson]], World Junior Curling champion, 1981
*[[Vicky Wright]], Olympic curler
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a person to this list if they already have their own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order by LAST NAME ♦♦♦--->

==Climate==
Like most of the United Kingdom, Stranraer has an [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Cfb''). The nearest weather station to Stranraer is located at [[RAF West Freugh]], around 5 miles (8&nbsp;km) to the south of Stranraer.

{{Weather box     <!-- Infobox begins -->
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| location = West Freugh (11&nbsp;m asl, 1991–2020 normals)
| Jan high C = 7.7
| Feb high C = 8.0
| Mar high C = 9.5
| Apr high C = 11.8
| May high C = 14.8
| Jun high C = 17.1
| Jul high C = 18.5
| Aug high C = 18.4
| Sep high C = 16.6
| Oct high C = 13.5
| Nov high C = 10.3
| Dec high C = 8.2
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 5.0
| Feb mean C = 5.1
| Mar mean C = 6.7
| Apr mean C = 8.0
| May mean C = 10.6
| Jun mean C = 13.2
| Jul mean C = 14.7
| Aug mean C = 14.7
| Sep mean C = 13.0
| Oct mean C = 10.2
| Nov mean C = 7.4
| Dec mean C = 5.4
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 2.3
| Feb low C = 2.2
| Mar low C = 2.8
| Apr low C = 4.2
| May low C = 6.4
| Jun low C = 9.2
| Jul low C = 10.9
| Aug low C = 10.9
| Sep low C = 9.4
| Oct low C = 6.9
| Nov low C = 4.4
| Dec low C = 2.5
| year low C = 
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 104.2
| Feb precipitation mm = 84.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 81.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 65.5
| May precipitation mm = 61.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 70.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 81.9
| Aug precipitation mm = 87.7
| Sep precipitation mm = 87.2
| Oct precipitation mm = 130.7
| Nov precipitation mm = 126.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 120.0
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 15.9
| Feb precipitation days = 13.5
| Mar precipitation days = 13.3
| Apr precipitation days = 12.1
| May precipitation days = 10.9
| Jun precipitation days = 11.3
| Jul precipitation days = 12.4
| Aug precipitation days = 13.5
| Sep precipitation days = 12.5
| Oct precipitation days = 16.0
| Nov precipitation days = 17.3
| Dec precipitation days = 16.1
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan sun = 56.9
| Feb sun = 80.2
| Mar sun = 115.2
| Apr sun = 169.9
| May sun = 226.0
| Jun sun = 185.5
| Jul sun = 189.1
| Aug sun = 186.0
| Sep sun = 139.9
| Oct sun = 101.1
| Nov sun = 61.1
| Dec sun = 53.6
| year sun = 
| source = [[Met Office]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Freugh UK climate averages |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcu2pdv8y |accessdate=15 January 2022 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
}}

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=180>
Image:Panoramic view of Stranraer, Scotland.jpg|Panoramic view of Stranraer, as viewed from Gallowhill
Image:Stranraer from NE.jpg|Stranraer and the shores of Loch Ryan, viewed from north-east end of town
Image:Stranraer Close Up.JPG|Part of the Dick's Hill area taken from the Gallowhill area 2008
File:Stranraer Castle.jpg|Stranraer Castle (Castle of St John)
Image:Johnniven.jpg|Dumfries and Galloway College's Stranraer Campus, 2008
File:Innermessan, near Stranraer - geograph.org.uk - 1302313.jpg|Innermessan, near Stranraer.
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Stranraer (Parliament of Scotland constituency)]]
* [[Wigtownshire]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |last=Cowsill |first=Miles |title=Stranraer–Larne: The Car Ferry Era |date=1998 |publisher=Ferry Publications |isbn=1871947405 |location=Narberth, Pembrokeshire}}
{{refend}}

{{Sister bar|auto=y}}
{{Civil parishes in Dumfries and Galloway}}
{{Places in the Rhins}}

{{Authority control}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Stranraer| ]]
[[Category:Wigtownshire]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Scotland]]
[[Category:Towns in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Royal burghs]]
[[Category:Parishes in Dumfries and Galloway]]
[[Category:Places in the Rhins]]
[[Category:Populated coastal places in Scotland]]