The Dinvin – Nine Holes Above Portpatrick
A few hours.
The route
Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club has played on the clifftops above the village since 1903, and beside its 18-hole course it keeps the Dinvin, nine short par threes laid out in 1913.
A round takes about an hour, so it's a lovely morning for beginners, older children and anyone after a quick game with the sea close by. Lunch is down on the harbour after.
Before you go
Book accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
Book Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club
Book a tee time on the Dinvin course on Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club's website, or ring the pro shop on 01776 810273, before you go: a day ticket is £15 at the time of writing (half price for under-18s), and clubs can be hired.
The day
Portpatrick
Nine short holes on the clifftop above Portpatrick, then a relaxed lunch looking out over the harbour.
About two and a half hours
Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club
Portpatrick Dunskey Golf Club is at the top of the village on Golf Course Road, with ample parking at the clubhouse. Beside its 18-hole course it keeps the Dinvin, nine par threes of 84 to 179 yards, kept to the same standard as the main course and taking about an hour to play, so it suits beginners and anyone after a quick game. A day ticket is £15 at the time of writing, half price for under-18s. Book a tee time on the club's website or ring the pro shop on 01776 810273, which also hires out clubs. The club asks visitors to keep to its dress code, which is on its website. Through the winter, ring ahead to check the course is open, and from November to February tee off by 2pm to finish in daylight.
Harbour House Hotel
Lunch
Lunch is down on the harbour front, a two-minute drive, at the Harbour House Hotel, the long white building facing the sea, with free parking round the harbour. Food is served every day from 10am to 9pm, in the sea-facing conservatory, the bar, the lounge or out on the terrace, with fresh local seafood and a vegan menu. Dogs are welcome in the bar and lounge. If it's full, the Port Pantry a few doors along does lunches and cakes and usually opens until 4pm; ring 01776 810655 to check.
If it rains
Golf goes on in light rain; in a downpour, lunch in the Harbour House Hotel's sea-facing conservatory is the dry part of the morning.
The Port Pantry, Portpatrick, a café in Stranraer.
Photograph by William Wallace via Google