Stranraer and the Rhins

Stranraer and the Rhins electoral ward sits on the shores of Loch Ryan in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, taking in the small town and the long, largely rural peninsula that reaches west to the Mull of Galloway. The area is known for its dramatic coastal scenery, sandy bays and birdlife, with a string of small harbours and villages such as Portpatrick that attract walkers, wildlife watchers and golfers, while farming and fishing still shape everyday life in the hinterland.

Historically Stranraer was an important ferry port to Northern Ireland, and the relocation of major ferry services to nearby Cairnryan in the early 21st century left a clear imprint on the local economy and identity. The ward retains a strong maritime and heritage feel - Victorian and Georgian buildings, lighthouses and shipbuilding echoes - and nowadays balances tourism, agriculture, local services and growing interest in renewables and community-led regeneration.