Stranraer-Cairnryan (Scotland)

Cairnryan is a ferry port and village in Scotland's Dumfries and Galloway Council (Wigtownshire/County of Wigtown) with population under 200. Cairnryan is on Loch Ryan's eastern shore. The closest town (Stranraer) is on Loch Ryan's southern shore, approx 6 mi (10 km) to the south via Road A77. Scotland's largest city (UK's 4th-most populous) Glasgow is approx 80 mi (130 km) to the northeast via Road A77 (~2 hours drive distance).

Cairnryan founded in the early 18th century (1701) to house the Lochryan Estate's workers. In the 19th century, the village became an important coach stop (with several inns) on the route to Ayr. During World War II (1939-45) Cairnryan Harbour was developed into a Military Port (with 3 docking piers) and a railway (linking to Stranraer) was constructed.

The Ro-Pax (car and passenger) ferry service Cairnryan-Larne (Northern Ireland) was initiated in July 1973 (by Townsend Car Ferries Ltd/1959-founded, in 1987 rebranded P&O European Ferries), with Townsend Thoresen's Ionic Ferry ship.

Currently, Port Cairnryan has two ferry terminals. The first ferry terminal (at Cairnryan Lighterage Wharf/1973-opened) is to the south of the village and is now used by P&O Ferries (in 1998-2010 known as P&O Irish Sea). The second ferry terminal (at Old House Point/2011-opened) is to the north of the village and is used by Stena Line.

Both companies provide regularly scheduled connections to North Ireland. P&O Ferries operate the route Cairnryan-Larne with 7 daily crossings (2-hour travel), while Stena Line operates the Cairnryan-Belfast route with 6 daily crossings (2-hour travel). Until November 2011, Stena operated the service using the Stranraer Pier.

Both ferry terminals (P&O's and Stena's) are road-linked and served by buses. Train connections are available from Stranraer, which rail station is at ~15 min walking distance from the bus stop. Stena Line's Stranraer Ferry Terminal is in downtown. Stena Line has a bus service linking its ferry terminal directly with Ayr's train station.

P&O Ferries' Cairnryan-Larne route is currently served by two freight ships - European Causeway (2000-built, IMO 9208394) and European Highlander (2002-built, IMO 9244116).

Stranraer (aka The Toon) has population around 10,000, ranking it Dumfries and Galloway's 2nd-largest town (after Dumfries/pop around 45,000). The distance between Stranraer and Dumfries (to the east) is ~70 mi / 120 km via Road A75.