#01
Portpatrick
to
Castle Kennedy
With narrow clifftop paths, quiet rolling farmland and the wild open landscape of Broad Moor this is a gentle start to the route.
On a clear day as you wander along the coast path you will be able to enjoy stunning views of Portpatrick, Knock Bay and over the sea to Ireland. Your starting point is Portpatrick, a fishing village popular with tourists. It has basic food shops for supplies and excellent eateries for a good meal the evening before you set out.
Winding along the coast through small bays, beaches and cliffs you come to the lighthouse at Killantringan and here turn inland. A series of quiet country lanes through farmland will bring you to Broad Moor. This is your first taste of the wild open landscape that makes up so much of the Southern Upland Way.
We are still low down here and soon get back to quiet roads, skirting around the edge of Stranraer. Small woodland tracks and paths then take us to the small village of Castle Kennedy. This has a small shop for supplies. The Castle Gardens are out the other side of the village and will be on the route tomorrow as you continue your adventure.
The higher the hill, the laigher the grass!
Scottish Proverb
| Start | Portpatrick |
|---|---|
| Finish | Castle Kennedy |
| OS Explorer Maps | 309 Stranraer and The Rhinns 310 Glenluce and Kirkcowan |
| Distance | 21.5 kms / 13.5 miles |
| Height Range | 0 – 156m |
| Total Ascent | about 400m |
| Information Shelter | North end of Portpatrick Harbour |
| Supplies | A modest selection of shops in Portpatrick and one in Castle Kennedy. None on route. |
| Public Transport | Trains and ferries to Stranraer. Buses from Stranraer to Portpatrick and Castle Kennedy. Taxis between Stranraer and Portpatrick. |
| Cycling | The section along the coast path is impassable to cyclists as it is very narrow. The rest of the section is suitable for mountain bikes. |
