Cairnryan to Larne Ferry

Cairnryan Guide

Cairnryan is a Scottish port village located in Dumfries and Galloway, lying on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. Important in maritime history, Cairnryan has two ferry terminals connecting Scotland to Northern Ireland. The first opened in 1973, originally operated by Townsend Thoresen and now by P&O Ferries, links Scotland with the port of Larne. The second Cairnryan ferry terminal is located at Old House Point, operated by Stena Line, linking to the Port of Belfast.

The village can trace its origins back to 1701 when it was established for workers employed on the Lochryan Estate which features a deer park and bowling green. Facilities in Cairnryan include the Lochryan Hotel, a few guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments, a caravan site built on the site of an old war campsite, a village shop and The Merchant's House Restaurant.

Larne Guide

Larne is a town and seaport located in Country Antrim in Northern Ireland and lies on the western side of a narrow inlet linking Larne Lough to the sea. The port of Larne regular receives ferries from Cairnryan of Scotland, operated by P&O Irish Sea.

The area around the town has been inhabited for over a thousand years and is believed to have been one of the earliest inhabited areas in Ireland, with the settlers thought to have arrived from Scotland via the North Channel.

In Larne’s slightly more recent history, the Scots-Irish Bissett family built Olderfleet Castle at Curran Point in the 13th century and in 1315 Edward the Bruce of Scotland, who was Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland's brother, arrived in Larne with his army on his way to conquering Ireland.