We left Hoddom Castle and rolled into Castle Bay Holiday Park, Stranraer, late afternoon. The drive was easy, the scenery already opening out onto that dramatic south-west coast. Arriving at the park in the afternoon meant we had time to settle in and enjoy the views before nightfall. We were pitched on Pitch 46, which gave us a lovely spot with electric hookup (only) and a water point nearby (we had to fill up before parking). It’s not a big park in terms of bustling activities, but that works for us as we were after a peaceful break anyway.

📍 The park: Castle Bay, Stranraer – DG9 9AH

From the A75, follow signs for Stranraer, then take the A77 towards Portpatrick. Just before you reach the town, look out for signs to Castle Bay Holiday Park on the B738. The lane bends gently down towards the sea — follow it until you spot the park entrance on your right.

The park is very aptly named: you’re genuinely right on the edge of the coast, overlooking the cliffs and sea, so the “bay” feels intimate and wild at the same time. From our pitch the view of the castle ruins across the headland and the sea beyond was utterly worth it. The toilet blocks were modern and clean; women’s one on one side, men’s the other — always nice to have well-maintained facilities when you’re out in the motorhome. There was a little grill & bar just outside the campsite — dogs can’t go inside but there’s a covered area (which I nicknamed “the dog-house”) where you can eat outside if the weather allows. We took our dog, Albi, down to see the castle and along the coastal path and he loved it.

One thing to note: because there’s only EHU (electric hook-up) and a water refill point, if you’re staying longer or using a lot of services you may want to check your water/waste situation. The terrain around the park is rugged (cliffs, rocks) so if you or any companion has mobility issues it’s something to bear in mind. More on that below.

First Walk / First Night

Once we were set up we did our first walk down a coastal path towards the ruins of Dunskey Castle which is perched right on the cliff edge and hauntingly beautiful. Legend has it that a nurse-maid dropped a baby from a window of the castle down onto the beach below, and that the ghost of an Irish piper who was imprisoned in the caves under the castle still plays his pipes or marches through the hidden pathways. At night I strained my ears to hear, but sadly, I never heard the dulcet tones of the bagpipes during our stay. The atmosphere was lovely as dusk settled: the sea, the wind across the cliffs, the castle silhouette. Back at the motorhome we enjoyed a peaceful evening, watching (hoping) for wildlife. In fact, my husband Andy did spot a whale. He saw its tail flip and dive under the water! I missed it because I’d popped inside to get the binoculars. Typical! But still — spectacular.

A Day Out at Portpatrick

For our “day out” we headed into the delightful town of Portpatrick (a short drive or a good twenty-minute walk along the coastal path from the campsite). The town is charming: pastel-coloured houses around a small bay backed by cliffs, and it has a rich history. In its earlier days it was an important ferry port for passengers, mail and freight between Scotland and Ireland. We explored the harbour, the little rocky beach with limpets, whelks and seaweed. The shops were nice, there’s a local mini-store for provisions, a couple of pubs, cafés, and plenty of places to stop for a cake and coffee. The cliff paths and views made it a favourite outing. The sense of history combined with the wild sea-air made it memorable.

Final thoughts of Castle Bay

I absolutely loved Castle Bay. The peace and quiet, the raw coastal landscape, the sense of being perched at the edge of something wild really worked for us. The views are to die for and you can see Ireland across the water on a clear day. The proximity to the ruins of Dunskey Castle is a major bonus. On the flip side: if you need wheelchair access or easy flat terrain, this might not be ideal as many paths are uneven, rugged, cliff-type walks.

Albi’s verdict: Five stars from Albi. He loved getting out in the wilds, exploring the rugged terrain, sniffing new trails, and just being free.
If we were going to stay here again, I’d maybe allow a longer stay so we could properly time wildlife watching (porpoises, maybe more whales), and perhaps aim for some warmer weather to enjoy the outdoor grill/bar area with Albi.

Next stop: Tantallon, North Berwick

After our stay at Castle Bay, we’ll be heading for Tantallon Caravan Park in North Berwick. We’re looking forward to travelling from the west coast to the south, ready for a change of scenery and new experiences. Remember to click ‘follow’ so you don’t miss where the road takes us next.