Ferry from Cairnryan, Scotland, to Belfast, Northern Ireland

Cairnryan on Loch Ryan

Cairnryan, Scotland, is a tiny little port town in Dumphries & Galloway on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan, an important sea loch that acts as a natural harbor for shipping.  Its calm waters also make it a natural choice for ferry service between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

During World War II, Loch Ryan was a busy place for war activity, and Cairnryan was named No. 2 Military Port. One of 3 military built piers can still be seen here although it is in disrepair and fishermen are its only visitors.

Thousands of troops were based in military camps in Cairnryan, and it was here the Atlantic U-boat fleet surrendered and was later hauled out to the North Channel and scuttled.  This activity was codenamed “Operation Deadlight.”

Concrete pontoon “boats” can still be seen off the shore north of Cairnryan, yet another remnant of WWII.  They are “beetles” from the Mulberry Harbour Project.  The beetle pontoons were used to hold up the “Whale” roadway sections, with four of the whales built at Cairnryan.

In the late 1960s, Cairnryan was used as a dismantling site for British air craft carriers and other sizable vessels.

Little is left of the village except for Lochryan Hotel, a few bed and breakfasts, a few shops, and the Merchant’s House Restaurant.  Even the church and the post office are gone.

Stena Line ferry

Today, Cairnryan serves as a port for 2 ferry lines, Stena Line and P&O Ferries.  In 2011, Stena Line began running its ferry service to the Port of Belfast in Northern Island from a new terminal at Old House Point in Cairnryan, rather than from Stranraer .

Stena line is the world’s largest ferry operator and the largest privately owned shipping company in the world.  They have 2 ferries that make 6 daily crossings.  The trip takes 2 hours and 15 minutes.