The drive from Portpatrick to Ayr takes less than 90 minutes but there is so much to see along the way that a full day or even two or three days could easily be spent exploring the area.

From Portpatrick take the A77 through Stranraer and enjoy the views over Loch Ryan to the Rhins of Galloway and Corsewall Point. As you leave Stranraer, large numbers of seabirds can often be seen including many swans and geese. Just past Cairnryan you will see the massive construction works where a new ferry terminal is being built for Stenna and P&O.

Carry on and soon the road leaves the coast for a bit and goes through Glenapp with it`s gentle hillsides and forests.

The road then descends to Ballantrae where you can detour to the left and perhaps have a stroll along the water`s edge towards the old harbour. The name Ballantrae comes from the gaelic Baile na tragha meaning the town by the beach. It was the fictional setting for The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Now continue north for a mile or two and park on the "old road" on the left, just before the A77 goes up a steep hill,  Climb over the gate across the road and infront of you, on your right is Sawney Bean`s Cave. Sawney Bean was the last Scottish cannibal and legend has it that he and his family lived in a network of caves in the 16th Century accesed from this cave. Apparantly he and his family of 48 all lived in these caves for some 25 years and it is said that he and his family murdered and cannibalised 30-40 people.

Back to the 77 again and just before the village of Lendalfoot, stop in a large layby which has a signpost for a memorial to the Varyag. Here, you can often see a large colony of seals on the rocks.

The Varyag was a Russian Naval Cruiser which was sent to Scotland for an overhaul and was due to re-enrer service with the Arctic squadron of the Russian Navy. However, following the Russian October Revolution on November 7, 1917 she was seized by the British and sold to Germany for scrap. That same year, while under tow in the Firth of Clyde, she ran aground on the rocks near Lendalfoot. The memorial was unveiled in September 2007.

Lendalfoot to Dunure

Continue northwards through Lendalfoot and the seaside town of Girvan and, a few miles north of Girvan turn left for Turnberry.There are three potential coffee stops between Lendalfoot and Turnberry, Woodland Farm, Dowhill or Balkenna Tearooms.

At Turnberry, leave the A77 and drive past the majestic Turnberry Hotel and golf course and through the village of Maidens. A short distance from Maidens, at Croy, the Electric Brae is reached. The Electric Brae, known locally as Croy Brae runs for a quarter mile and while there is an upward slope of 1 in 86, the configuration of the land on either side of the road provides an optical illusion making it look as if the slpoe is going the other way.

The term "Electric Brae" dates from a time when it was thought to be a phenomenon caused by electric or magnetic attractionn weithin the brae. Try it for yourself!

Next stop is Dunure which has a charming little harbour and a spectacular ruined castle on the cliff -top which dates back to the 13th century. There is limited parking at the harbour from which it is a short walk to the castle, part of which is open to the public.A recent addition to Dunure was it`s  labyrinth which is siuated near the castle. There is a pub on the harbour side - the Dunure Inn which serves lunches & bar meals between 12 noon & 6.30 pm.

 to be continued ............

Portpatrick is an ideal base for touring South West Scotland so why not stay at Rickwood - quality accommodation in Portpatrick and no 1 B&B