Amazing Value In Wonderful Wigtownshire

Alan Tait
Jul 15
8 min read

Probably my favourite role with Golfbreaks is sourcing and pulling together new packages and offers in Scotland, and on many occasions it will be venues that golfers are not necessarily that familiar with. I think the perception of many is that Golf Tour Operators only work with the “trophy” courses such as Old Course St Andrews, Turnberry, Carnoustie etc. As wonderful as it is to play these bucket-list courses we all know it’s not cheap and at times not easy to get availability, hence I enjoy sourcing venues who offer great value and easy accessibility. At Golfbreaks we pride ourselves that “there’s a golf break for everyone”!

This was never more evident when last year I pulled together a Wigtownshire Golf Offer, which has been proving incredibly popular with Scottish golfers and quite a few visitors from the north of England. My love affair with this part of Scotland started around 30 odd years ago when I took part in the PGA Portpatrick Pro Am. I had never been to Portpatrick and since that first visit, I’m a regular to the area at least a couple of times a year now. I’m almost known as a local!! Also delighted to say the Pro Am is still going strong and is one of the longest running Pro Ams on the Scottish PGA circuit. Now I hear many of you saying Wigtownshire….. Portpatrick…… “where’s that”? Well the area is in the south west of Scotland approximately 55 miles west of Dumfries and around 90 miles from Scotland’s biggest city Glasgow. So a new package was created offering 1, 2 and 3 night stays at The Fernhill Hotel in Portpatrick, and playing golf at Portpatrick, Stranraer and Wigtownshire County golf clubs.

A large majority of the Golfbreaks clients who experience the Wigtownshire package are from the central Scotland area and depending exactly where, you are looking at about a 2.5 – 3.5 hours car journey which takes you down Scotland’s beautiful west coast. From central Scotland you head to the seaside town of Ayr and from here the journey is an absolute treat as you make your way along with beautiful views across the water and the rugged landscape. Along this road you will see the iconic “Ailsa Craig”. Ailsa Craig is an uninhabited island located in the outer Firth of Clyde, about 10 miles off the coast. It's a distinctive dome shaped island, rising sharply from the sea to a height of over 1,000 feet. The island is known for its unique blue hone granite which is used to make curling stones and for its significant bird colonies, including one of the largest gannet colonies in Europe. Also on the road you can also pass the famous Trump Turnberry Hotel and Courses. Turnberry has regularly been voted “best course in Europe” and always features as one of the best in the world. Golfbreaks partner with Turnberry and if you have time it’s definitely

worth stopping for a look around the hotel and Dormy House. Probably like many others, I would personally love to see the venue back on The Open rota.

About 45 minutes after Turnberry you will approach Loch Ryan Port. The port is a busy ferry terminal with up to 6 daily return sailings to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Cairnryan is a very small village with a shop, so really not much else apart from the buzz of the ferry terminal.

As you head further south, a short drive later you will arrive in Stranraer. Located at the head of Loch Ryan in Wigtownshire. It's the largest town in Galloway and is known as the "Gateway to Galloway" and is also home to the Creachmore Stranraer course which makes up part of the Golfbreaks Wigtownshire package. As mentioned earlier, the biggest majority of golfers will be passing through Stranraer so my recommendation is you play this course on the first day of your trip, or on the last day as you head home. The course is about a 20 minute drive from your accommodation in Portpatrick which is a further 8-9 miles drive, so makes sense to play there on the way down or on the way back.

As soon as you drive into the golf club you are immediately met with the beautiful views over much of the course, and to Loch Ryan and beyond. Make your way into the modern two storey clubhouse, which compliments the panoramic view even more. The thing I love about this package is the 3 courses although very different in their own way, are all very similar in length and test playing at around 6,000 yards from the yellow tees and approximately 5,500 from the reds. Wigtownshire County is definitely the flattest of the 3

courses with Stranraer and Portpatrick a little more undulating in places. The 5^th hole at Stranraer is possibly one of the most photographed holes in Scotland! Anyone and everyone who plays here for the first time, I guarantee you a photograph of that hole will be on their social media the same evening! A wonderful par 4 from an elevated tee and sits at 382 yards from yellow tees and 354 from the reds. It’s a very slight left to right dog leg with a sloping densely gorse embankment on the left, and the water of Loch Ryan on your right. There’s also two fairway bunkers on the right before the water which need to be avoided. It’s an intimidating tee shot, however if you can get your drive away then breathe a little easier as you are faced with a fairly short second shot to an inviting green. I’m sure the famous course designer James Braid was proud of pulling this little beauty together!

Accommodation for the trip is The Fernhill Hotel in the stunning wee harbour village of Portpatrick. Sitting in private gardens high above Portpatrick the hotel commands stunning open views over the village, harbour and across the Irish Sea. It really is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a post round drink watching the sun set in a picture perfect panorama. Bedrooms at Fernhill range from cosy classic rooms to stunning sea view rooms with their own balconies. Most rooms have fantastic views over the pretty village of Portpatrick and across the Irish Sea, and I would say you must ensure to have a sea facing room when booking to enjoy the wonderful scenery. As the crow flies the harbour and the village is a few hundred yards walk. Walking there however is a lot quicker than walking back as it’s uphill all the way with some steep steps leading back to the hotel. So maybe not too many drinks in Portpatrick’s village bars! For golf at Portpatrick you can walk to the club as it’s just a short 5 minute walk, so leave the car in the hotel, put your golf shoes on in the morning, have breakfast in the restaurant with the stunning views, and you are good to go! Light lunches and afternoon tea is available from 1200 – 1400, and dinner is in the main restaurant in the evenings. Please note though – The hotel operates as a cashless property. They do however accept all major credit and debit cards with the exception of American Express.

Portpatrick itself is the most picturesque seaside village. It was once a busy port that served the ferry to Northern Ireland which now operates from the aforementioned Cairnryan. It’s a serene holiday resort, with pastel-coloured houses and a stunning bay. As well as golfers it’s very popular with lovers of the outdoors with the well known 212 mile walking route The Southern Upland Way, which starts in the village. There is also a great selection of places to eat and drink and has a couple of village shops. The Crown Hotel has a fantastic bar which has live music and entertainment on most weekends. I have enjoyed many a night in there over the years!! There’s also a brilliant and fun public putting green next to the harbour, which is hugely popular and a big attraction to visitors and families, as well as the more serious golfers.

As I said earlier, the Portpatrick PGA Pro Am has been on the Scottish circuit for about 35 years and is always a popular venue for the pros and amateurs alike. The main course is called Portpatrick Dunskey and I’ve probably played there around 40 or 50 times now and I’m just never disappointed. It’s just such a fun course, but when the wind blows it really will test you and is quite a challenge. Although there are quite a few birdie chances on the par 4’s, if you put it in the wrong spot from the tee or at the green you will be tested to the max to secure your par. The two par 5’s are the 3^rd and the 18^th which the bigger hitters can definitely reach. Although the approach shot at the 3^rd is surrounded by heavy gorse which you are pretty much guaranteed to lose your ball in. The 18^th has out of bounds running all the way down the left hand side, so obvious to favour the right side.

The course offers spectacular views and a mixture of rolling moorland and seaside heath and sits around 150 feet above sea level. The 13th hole is undoubtedly the signature hole. A wonderful and reachable par 4 with truly exceptional views from the tee which on a clear day, offer glimpses of Ireland, Mull of Kintyre, Isle of Man and Cumbria across the water. As it’s downhill all the way and at only 285 yards from the yellow tees, most can reach the green. However, out of bounds is to the left towards the water and the green is treacherously fast from right to left. I’ve made lots of birdie 3’s at this hole over the years, but have had my fair share of silly bogey 5’s as well. As well as the Dunskey course, Portpatrick also has the Dinvin course. One of Portpatrick’s best kept secrets and offers a 9-hole par 3 course, which is maintained to the same high standards as Dunskey. Taking about an hour to play, it is ideal for the golfer looking for a quick bit of exercise or for the beginner who does not feel up to the rigours of 18 holes. Don’t be fooled though, it’s not a pitch and putt with a couple of the holes requiring a long iron or even a fairway wood. Again, just a whole lot of fun!

The final stop on this gem of a trip is Wigtownshire County which is 12 miles east of your base in Portpatrick. It’s a lovely 20 minute drive coming more inland through green farmland and fields. The roads are usually really quiet, but beware not to get stuck behind many tractors and other farm machinery that frequent these roads. You could be stuck for a few more minutes than you bargained for, so leave enough time ahead of your tee time!

The flattest of the 3 courses, it’s another gem of a golf course and is the easiest of walks. Unlike the other 2 courses, The County is true links situated on the shores of Luce Bay. The par 4 12^th is the signature hole, starting with a daunting tee shot from an elevated tee, with out of bounds tight all the way down the right hand side. You’re normally hitting into a prevailing wind which adds to the challenge of this enjoyable hole. At 368 yards it’s by no means the longest hole, but can be very tricky if you don’t get the tee shot away. Being a links course, it’s very playable all year round with it’s sand based fairways and greens. The club has the cutest of clubhouses and like all the venues, visitors are made so welcome

I’m really proud of this wee package I created and just love how popular it has been. The 3 golf courses and hotel have also been delighted with the extra footfall via Golfbreaks. Having spent time at all the venues, I can assure you a fantastic visitor golf experience at one of the most beautiful areas in the country. It’s not too late to secure a booking in 2025 and prices start at £225pp for the 2 x nights and 3 x rounds. Honestly fabulous value for money and you won’t be disappointed. Feel free to email me at ATait@golfbreaks.com and will be more than happy to assist with your booking.