Portpatrick to Lighthouse Walk

A circular walk around the scenic village of Portpatrick. Walkers should allow approximately 3.5 hours to complete this walk, which consists of hard surface paths, tracks, grass paths, roadside pavement and minor road.

There are also steps, stile, kissing gates and cattle grids on the route, which is of moderate to strenuous difficulty. Boots are recommended.

Parking is available on the seafront in Portpatrick. Walk to the northern end of the harbour, towards the lifeboat station. An interpretation board here marks the start of the Southern Upland Way. This long distance, coast-to-coast route runs from Portpatrick to Cockburnspath, covering an impressive 340km/212 miles and a fabulous range of scenery. Follow the signposts and waymarkers along the coast then head inland until you reach the main road. Leave the Southern Upland Way, turning right to follow the road back to Portpatrick, then right again into the village.

The coastal scenery on the first part of this walk is breathtaking, with towering cliffs and secluded, sandy bays. In spring and summer the cliff tops are a blaze of colour with wildflowers such as thrift, spring squill and yellow rattle. Kittiwakes and fulmars nest noisily on the cliffs below, jostling for the best sites. Views along the coastline are stunning and on a clear day you can see over to Ireland.

Soon, you cross open moorland and Killantringan Lighthouse lies up ahead. Built in 1900 to warn ships away from the rocky coastline, dangerous cross currents have still caused many a shipwreck. The remains of the Craigantlet, a container ship that ran aground in 1982 can just be seen at low tide beneath the lighthouse. Continue on past the lighthouse, enjoying views of hills, forests and woodland as you make your way back to Portpatrick.