Ports.org.uk
Links
Introduction
UK Map
Complete list
Former Harbours
Contact ports.org.uk
Search
Advanced Search

Site created by
Duncan Mackintosh
Cairnryan
Image © Undiscovered Scotland

Cairnryan

Latitude: 54° 58'N
Longitude: 05° 00'W
Country: Scotland

Type: Private
Usage: Commercial
Website: http://cairnryanferry.com/


About Cairnryan

During the Second World War, Cairnryan became No.2 Military Port, and three harbour piers and a military railway linking the village with nearby Stranraer were built by the army.

Thousands of troops were based locally in military camps. At the end of the war the Atlantic U-Boat fleet surrendered in Lochryan and were anchored here before being towed to sea and sunk.

For a period after the war the port was used to load superfluous ammunition onto barges for dumping at sea - a hazardous task, which took the lives of several.

Ship breaking became the main industry; the great aircraft carriers Centaur, Eagle and most famously the Ark Royal were all sent here for decommissioning. As recently as 1990, Russian submarines have been dismantled here for scrap.

Nowadays part of the old port is a thriving base for ferry operations to Ulster with the new P&O high speed Jetliner just coming into service.



Return to Area Map