Hidden Scotland
Sign in
The sandy beach at Lady Bay with small waves breaking, Loch Ryan beyond and the hills of its far shore under a deep blue sky, a wooded headland on the left.
Dumfries and Galloway

Lady Bay

A small sandy beach on the west shore of Loch Ryan, at the top of the Rhins of Galloway.

Welcome

Lady Bay is a lovely little spot, with sand underfoot and the whole sweep of Loch Ryan in front of you.

Time your visit for low tide, when the pools among the rocks hide tiny crabs, little fish and anemones for children to find. Bring binoculars too. In summer fulmars nest on the cliffs at Jamieson's Point just to the south, cormorants and shags fish the loch all year, and with luck you'll see a gannet plunge into the water. Boats put in from the slipway, and the bay is popular on summer days. The way down is a long, rough track with plenty of bends, so take it slowly.

A short drive awayFig and OliveA bright cafe on George Street in Stranraer, with brunch, hot dishes, fresh cakes and a welcome for dogs and children.18 min by roadSee itFig & Olive shopfront with turquoise trim on a quiet street corner
Before you go
Visitors
Walkers, swimmers and dogs are welcome; follow any local signs.
Where
A couple of miles north of Kirkcolm, DG9 0PD.
Parking
Room for five or six cars at the bottom of the track, with concrete steps down to the sand.
The walk
A loop along the sand and back by the grassy path, 1.2 km, about 40 minutes.
The ferries
Ferries coming in to dock across the loch send big waves up the beach for up to half an hour, so keep an eye on children at the water.

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review
Where it is

Looking east across the water towards Cairnryan.

Close byKirkcolm, Leswalt and Stranraer.
  1. The boardwalk at Aldouran Wetland Garden running out over the reedy pond towards the wooden bird hide among the trees.Aldouran Wetland Garden and GlenA community wetland garden and bird hide on the edge of Leswalt, joined to an ancient wood with a sculpture trail.8 miles 16 min by road
  2. Stranraer MuseumStranraer MuseumThe museum of Wigtownshire in Stranraer's Old Town Hall of 1776, free to visit, with refurbished displays and children's trails.9 miles 18 min by road
  3. Castle of St JohnCastle of St JohnA tower house in the middle of Stranraer that has been nearly everything.10 miles 19 min by road
  4. The canal at Castle Kennedy Gardens in summer, lined with cordylines, with flowering trees in red on the bank and a path alongside.Castle Kennedy GardensEighteenth-century gardens round the ruin of Castle Kennedy, on the neck of land between two lochs east of Stranraer.13 miles 31 min by road
  5. Waves rolling onto a curved sandy beach beneath grassy cliffsKillantringan Lighthouse and BayA white lighthouse of 1900 on the cliffs north of Portpatrick, above a sandy bay.15 miles 28 min by road
  6. PortpatrickPortpatrickA painted harbour on the Rhins, and mile nought of the Southern Upland Way.16 miles 26 min by road
Directions
The boating lake at Agnew Park under a blue sky, a little island of palm trees on the right and green hills across the water beyond.AttractionsAgnew Park6.8 miles
The Agnew Monument, a square castellated stone tower, on the green top of the Tor of Craigoch under a deep blue sky, a walker climbing through the long summer grass towards it.WalksAgnew Monument8.3 miles
Fig & Olive shopfront with turquoise trim on a quiet street cornerCafeFig and Olive9.3 miles
Saltwater Chronicles Lodge, a grey lodge with an outbuilding beside it, seen across the lawn from a gravel path.PortpatrickSaltwater Chronicles LodgeSleeps 6 · 15 miles
Artemisia Lodge, a stone house with a stepped gable, glazed doors onto a terrace with a bench and a table.PortpatrickArtemisia LodgeSleeps 4 · 15 miles
Harriet's Lodestar Lodge in the sun, dark walls and a white gable, the outdoor bath and a table on its terrace.PortpatrickHarriet's Lodestar LodgeSleeps 4 · 15 miles
Fawn's Velvet Lodge in the sun, a stone cottage with a pale blue door, daisies on the lawn in front.PortpatrickFawn's Velvet LodgeSleeps 4 · 15 miles
Fern Forest House, a grey stone house with ivy on its gable and a pale blue door, under a blue sky.PortpatrickFern Forest HouseSleeps 6 · 15 miles
Heritage Coachman Lodge's pale blue door in the cobbled stable courtyard, a table and a wooden bench in the sun outside.PortpatrickHeritage Coachman LodgeSleeps 4 · 15 miles

Recommend to a friend

The Daily for 23 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a concrete road bridge with angled supports spanning a sea loch, twin cloud-wrapped mountain peaks rising behind autumn-coloured hills.

The Daily

Arrives at 5am every day.

A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.

Stay nearby

Places to stay near the bay, and when each is next free.

Rose Blair Lodge in the sun, a gabled cottage with a wooden door in a porch, trees behind and a table on the terrace.Rose Blair Lodge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Portpatrick
  • 10 miles from Lady Bay
Free 31 Oct – 3 NovHeritage Coachman Lodge's pale blue door in the cobbled stable courtyard, a table and a wooden bench in the sun outside.Heritage Coachman Lodge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Portpatrick
  • 10 miles from Lady Bay
Free 30 Oct – 2 NovFern Forest House, a grey stone house with ivy on its gable and a pale blue door, under a blue sky.Fern Forest House
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Portpatrick
  • 10 miles from Lady Bay
Check datesFawn's Velvet Lodge in the sun, a stone cottage with a pale blue door, daisies on the lawn in front.Fawn's Velvet Lodge
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Portpatrick
  • 10 miles from Lady Bay
Free 29 Oct – 1 NovPlaces to stayEvery stay in Dumfries and GallowayAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .