Cairnryan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cairnryan
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 Cairnryan
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| Population | 142 (2001 Census) |
| OS grid reference | NX067683 |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STRANRAER |
| Postcode district | DG9 |
| Dialling code | 01581 |
| Police | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Fire | Dumfries and Galloway |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Cairnryan (Scots: The Cairn; Scottish Gaelic: Càrn Rìoghain or Machair an Sgithich) is a small village in Scotland. It's located in Dumfries and Galloway, right on the eastern shore of Loch Ryan. The village is about 6 miles (10 km) north of Stranraer and 81 miles (130 km) southwest of Glasgow.
Contents
History of Cairnryan
Cairnryan was founded in 1701. It was built as a long village, stretching along the main A77 road next to Loch Ryan. Many of the early houses were built for workers on the Lochryan Estate. The slates for these houses came from a local quarry near Cairn Hill, which overlooks the village.
Early Days and Travelers
In the 1800s, Cairnryan was a very important stop for horse-drawn coaches traveling to Ayr. There were many inns along this short part of the coast. However, it also became known as a place where highwaymen (robbers) would attack travelers.
Cairnryan in World War II
Cairnryan has deep water, which made it perfect for a port. During World War II, it became a major military port. Three piers (docks) were built, along with a military railway that connected the village to nearby Stranraer. To make space for the new railway, some houses by the loch were taken down.
After the war, only one of the three piers remained. One was taken apart, and another was destroyed in an explosion. The pier that is left is now quite old and broken, but people still use it for fishing.
Cairnryan also helped build parts of the two Mulberry Harbours. These were special floating ports that the Allies used after D-Day. Troops stayed in military camps nearby. After World War II, many German U-boat submarines surrendered in Loch Ryan. They were anchored in the port before being sunk in the North Channel. This event was called 'Operation Deadlight'.
After the War
In the early 1950s, more houses were built in Cairnryan, which helped the village grow. For some years after World War II, the port was used to receive old ammunition. This ammunition arrived by train and by large ships. It was then loaded onto smaller boats and dumped in the deep ocean. The train cars carrying this ammunition even had a funny address: "Davy Jones' Locker, Cairnryan." "Davy Jones' Locker" is an old sailor's term for the bottom of the sea.
In the late 1960s, a new industry came to Cairnryan: ship breaking. This means taking old ships apart for their metal. Famous British aircraft carriers like HMS Centaur, HMS Bulwark, HMS Eagle, and HMS Ark Royal were all brought here to be broken up.
Modern Ferry Services
In July 1973, a company called Townsend Thoresen started a "roll on, roll off" ferry service. This service, from Cairnryan to Larne in Northern Ireland, carried passengers and cars. Later, it also carried commercial vehicles. In 1987, the company changed its name to P&O European Ferries.
In 2011, another ferry company, Stena Line, moved its car ferry service from Stranraer Harbour to a new terminal just north of Cairnryan. This service now connects Cairnryan to the Port of Belfast in Northern Ireland.
Harbour
Cairnryan has two ferry terminals. These terminals connect Scotland to Northern Ireland.
The first terminal is in the south of Cairnryan. It opened in 1973 and is now run by P&O Ferries. This ferry links Scotland with the port of Larne.
The second terminal is at Old House Point, just north of Cairnryan. It opened in 2011 and is operated by Stena Line. This ferry connects Cairnryan to the Port of Belfast in Belfast.
Transport
A bus service runs between the P&O Ferries and Stena Line ferry terminals in Cairnryan and Stranraer. Stranraer railway station is about a 15-minute walk from the bus stop.
Stena Line also runs a coach service. This coach goes between their ferry terminal and Ayr railway station. It helps people connect with certain ferry trips to and from Belfast.
| Preceding station | Ferry | Following station | ||
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| Ayr (via coach link from Cairnryan) |
Stena Line Ferry |
Port of Belfast (nearest stations York Street, Lanyon Place & Belfast Grand Central) |
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| Stranraer Harbour (via bus link from Cairnryan) |
P&O Ferries Ferry |
Larne Harbour |
