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Ferry
Photographer's Guide
South West Scotland
Stranraer
South West Scotland is a wild and windy world full of sheep, gorse bushes
and ferries. Photographically it is fairly bleak apart from
the sea that is on all sides, dictating how industry and tourism has
developed. The original ferry service to Ireland operated from
the picturesque village of Portpatrick (still worth a visit).
However the Irish Sea was just too powerful for a safe harbour, so the
route retreated to the calm of Loch Ryan, and Stranraer was
established as the base.
Cairnryan
Nothing changed for nearly 100 years until ASN (Atlantic Steam Navigation)
started a route to Larne from Cairnryan in the 1970's , using a harbour
originally constructed for war efforts. Nowadays P&O are
the operator and the site has recently been completely
redeveloped. Stena moved their Irish operation from Larne to
Belfast in the mid 1990's and now plan to move from Stranraer to Cairnryan.
Photos
There are currently five
ferries that operate on the routes to Larne and
Belfast. Because they have to navigate their way up and down
Loch Ryan, there are ample photographic opportunities, some quite
spectacular. This contrasts with many ports where ferries
appear from nowhere and dock almost immediately. If you want to take
a more unusual photo the next time you visit South West Scotland,
then read on. |
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| Directions |
Follow signs for Kirkcolm from
Stranraer |
| Location |
Just opposite old people's
flats/home. It's the site of the former creamery (before it
was demolished). Pronounced "shook-an". |
| Photo Tips |
Good place to photograph the
sponsons on Stena Caledonia |
| Local Tips |
None |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
Beside Agnew Park |
| Location |
This is where Seacat used to
leave from. It is possible to walk to end of the pier using a
narrow path beside the wire mesh fence. |
| Photo Tips |
So close you can almost touch
the ferries. |
| Local Tips |
Potentially hazardous in a strong
gale. Take another adult with you. |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
On the seafront |
| Location |
Beside the
weighbridge. This is the curiously named Breastwork car
park. Seacat had their terminal building here, but now its
reverted to a free public car park which is always empty. |
| Photo Tips |
Not the most exciting view,
but always guaranteed. |
| Local Tips |
Low flying seagulls can be a
nuisance |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
On the seafront |
| Location |
Opposite the back entrance to
Tescos |
| Photo Tips |
Good view of ferry, not such a
clear shot of the HSS. |
| Local Tips |
None |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
Follow signs from Stranraer
for A77 to Ayr |
| Location |
Car park just before the
"Cairnryan" village sign on the right side of the
road. Cross the road (carefully) and find the gap in the
fence/bushes that allows access to the shore. |
| Photo Tips |
Lots of different types of
shots are available ranging from wide-angle to telephoto lens.
The shore (rocks in fact) or gorse/heather can be included for effect. |
| Local Tips |
Beware of the wash from
passing ferries |
| Time of Day |
Morning and
afternoon. The sun sweeps round by the early evening. |
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| Directions |
Head through Cairnryan village
until you see the lighthouse and the church on the left. |
| Location |
Car park beside the church. |
| Photo Tips |
Good place to catch fast craft
as this is the point where they are allowed to pick up speed. |
| Local Tips |
Remember there is a 30mph
speed limit through the village |
| Time of Day |
Morning if it's
sunny. Looking towards Cairnryan lighthouse (2) will always be
against the sun. |
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| Directions |
From Cairnryan continue
following road north, crossing the border into Ayrshire. |
| Location |
Top of the road leading to
fish factory at Finnarts Bay. |
| Photo Tips |
Scenic view of ferries
rounding Milleur Point. There is also a car park at Finnarts
Bay itself which gives additional photo opportunities. |
| Local Tips |
Beware of adders
(honest). There used to be a warning notice. |
| Time of Day |
Morning if it's sunny. |
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| Directions |
Follow signs from Stranraer to
Kirkcolm. The last road on the right is Larg Rd.
Just beyond it on the right is a small parking place. |
| Location |
Near chicken huts |
| Photo Tips |
Impressive view of ferries
entering the loch. Best with a good quality long
lens. On a clear day, Ailsa Craig can be seen. The
scar is also clearly visible in the foreground. |
| Local Tips |
None |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
Follow signs from Stranraer to
Kirkcolm Just past the boat yard on the right at Wig Bay is an
unmarked gravel track. Follow this to the end, taking care
with pot holes and standing water. |
| Location |
Stay with the road right to
the end. There is a brick hut and a fine selection of rubbish
and seaweed everywhere. |
| Photo Tips |
The scar is a peculiar
geographical feature - a spit of sand that juts out into Loch
Ryan. For some reason the adjacent land seems as though it is
lower than the water level, so it affords some unusual shots.
Ferries can be photographed from the mouth of the Loch all the way down to
Cairnryan and vice versa. |
| Local Tips |
Give a nod to the man walking
his dog. Like Groundhog Day he's always there, come rain or
shine. It's pronounced "Kir-come" by the way. |
| Time of Day |
All day |
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| Directions |
Follow signs from Kirkcolm to
Corsewall Lighthouse. Road becomes single track about two
miles from the end. |
| Location |
Best spot is at the gate of
the Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel. All three shots (3,4,5) can be
taken here. |
| Photo Tips |
This location is about 30
minutes from Stranraer by ferry and about 20 minutes from Cairnryan.
Fast craft do it in about 20/15 minutes respectively. Be there
early so as not to miss the action. Fast craft pass at top
speed so can make for impressive photos. |
| Local Tips |
This is possibly the windiest
location in Scotland so hold on tightly to all loose items or they may end
up in County Antrim. There is almost no mobile phone signal so
beware sheep and frisky bulls. |
| Time of Day |
Morning is usually the best -
sun is in the right position - and there's less chance of ferry delays. |
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| Photo
Diversity |
Top
Tips |
| It
can be challenging to take unusual photos but there are several
possibilities in the area. Occasionally in winter, the loch is
absorbed in hazy
sunshine which provides an atmospheric effect. Night shots are not so effective, and I don't know anything about early
morning shots as I'm always in my bed at the Fernhill Hotel or Corsewall
Lighthouse Hotel. There is an evocative pose at the Princess
Victoria memorial in Agnew Park. |
 | Take a tripod
It's windy |
| Take a hat
It's windy |
| Be aware of security
Cameras can be seen as a threat |
| Watch out for electric fences
Designed for cows not humans |
| Visit Stranraer museum
See the Princess Victoria display |
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| Photo
Facts (from top to bottom) |
| Stena Caledonia at Stranraer in
August 2002. |
| Stena Voyager at Stranraer in
December 2002. |
| Galloway Princess at Stranraer
in July 1984. |
| Stena Galloway at Stranraer in
September 1994. |
| Galloway Princess at Stranraer
in July 1983. |
| European Causeway when new at
Cairnryan in August 2000. |
| Superstar Express at Cairnryan
in August 2002. |
| Pride of Ailsa in Loch Ryan in
August 1992. |
| Holyhead Ferry I (covering for
the Ailsa Princess) in Loch Ryan in April 1973 |
| Stena Galloway entering Loch
Ryan in December 2001. |
| Stena Galloway in Loch Ryan in
December 1995. |
| Stena Caledonia passing Milleur
Point in December 1995. |
| Stena Voyager passing Ailsa
Craig in December 1996. |
| European Causeway passing
Corsewall Lighthouse in December 2002. |
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