Portpatrick, Stranraer and the Rhins of Galloway are THE holiday destinations in Scotland to go to this year. The south west coast of Scotland in Dumfries and Galloway has become very accustomed to seeing Hollywood A-lister, Gerard Butler, hanging out in Portpatrick at Campbells and the Crown Hotel. In fact, one of our guests, much to her delight, found herself dining right next door to the film star while dining in Campbells, our favourite restaurant in Portpatrick.
Portpatrick looking over the harbour and beach
Gerard Butler has been staying near Portpatrick while filming his latest film, Keepers. The psychological thriller is based on a true story about the unexplained disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in 1900 on Flannan Isle, in the Outer Hebrides.
They’ve been filming at various locations in the Rhins of Galloway over the past couple of months, including the lighthouses at Corsewall, the Mull of Galloway, Killantringan and at Port Logan. Standing on a beach near Portpatrick, Butler posted a short film on his Facebook page where he described Galloway as ‘paradise’ – and he’s not wrong! We can’t wait till the film hits the box office.
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
Portpatrick is one of the most charming fishing villages and holiday destinations in south west Scotland. It has an exceptionally pretty harbour complete with a lighthouse and sandy beach. There are several pubs and restaurants along the front, including The Crown, where you can sit outside and enjoy a drink and take in the view. Along the harbour front you’ll also find Campbells, which is an outstanding restaurant and has made a good name for its wonderful seafood and fish dishes. Overlooking the harbour on Heugh Road the Fernhill, also serves a wide range of excellent dishes.
The Harbour Front at Portpatrick
There’s lots to do in Portpatrick – a wonderful new wooden children’s adventure playground, a putting green and a fantastic 18-hole golf course, which by all accounts offers a great round with fabulous views over the sea to Ireland. For keen walkers, Portpatrick is the start of the Southern Upland Way. Even if you don’t want to tackle the full 212 miles, you can enjoy manageable walks along the cliff tops to Killantringan lighthouse and back (a six-mile round trip). There are stunning views over the sea and the route takes you to across three beautiful beaches – so do take a picnic, bathers, buckets and spades with you. You can also charter a boat from Portpatrick and do a day’s fishing. This has proved extremely popular with our children over the years, catching shoals of fish for supper.
The Southern Upland Way
Cedar Lodge, our 4-star holiday house, is located on Golf Course Road, right next to the golf course. With 4 bedrooms, all with en suites, our luxury Portpatrick holiday house, sleeps 8. Immaculately refurbished in 2015, with an expansive raised deck with beautiful sea views and an extremely spacious open-plan sitting room, kitchen and dining area, Cedar Lodge, provides ideal self-catering accommodation for birthday celebrations, family holidays, short breaks and golfing holidays.
Cedar Lodge Offers Wonderful Sea Views from the Deck
Prices start from £396.75 for 3 nights for a group of 8 people in winter. We also offer reduced rates for 2 or 4 people during quieter months from January-June and September-December (excluding Christmas and New Year), with prices from £258.75 for 3 nights based on 2 people sharing 1 bedroom. We still have availability in June, July and August including 24 June-1 July at a rate of £895 for 7 nights in addition to 15-22 July, 22-29 July, 19-26 August and 26-2 September at a rate of £1,195 for 7 nights.
There are Wonderful Sea Views from the Open-Plan Sitting Room