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Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland


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Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach is a popular destination for beachgoers and water sports enthusiasts, located in the scenic bay of Loch Ryan, near the town of Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. .

Cockle Shore is a long, wide sandy beach situated to the east of the town and port of Stranraer. The beach is a popular spot for a variety of activities, including paddling, fishing, and watching the boats leave the nearby port. Windsurfers and kite-surfers also make use of the beach, taking advantage of the suitable wind conditions. The beach has a reputation for being one of the cleanest in the area, making it an ideal location for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.

Cockle Shore is also a good place for wildlife watching, with sea ducks and gulls wintering in the area. Visitors to the beach can enjoy the scenic views and observe these species in their natural habitat. A cafe is located on the beach, providing a convenient spot for refreshments.

The nearby town of Stranraer offers a range of amenities and attractions for visitors, including a rail station with connections to Glasgow and a National Express service to London. The town has a selection of restaurants and shops, a museum, and a medieval tower house. Additionally, the ruins of Kennedy Castle and its grounds are located nearby, approximately one mile from the beach to the north of Castle Kennedy village, between two lochs.

Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach is adjacent to the Loch Ryan Coastal Path.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 99%
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 14°C
Wind 19mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 92%
Min temperature 9°C
feels like 10°C
Wind 21mph

The tide at Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 3:05 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 8:59 AM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Stena Line (1.3 miles)
Stranraer VisitScotland iCentre (1.4 miles)
Castle Of St John (1.4 miles)
Stranraer Museum (1.5 miles)
Ryan centre stranraer (1.6 miles)
Castle Kennedy Gardens (1.9 miles)
Glenwhan Gardens (4.9 miles)
Dunskey Garden (6 miles)

Places to eat near Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach

Craignelder Hotel (370 yards)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Bishop Burn, Stranraer

Location type: Village

OS Grid: NX080619

Coordinates: 54°54'54"N 4°59'46"W

Mapcode: GBR GH1Q.858

What 3 Words: having.hypocrite.snappy

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: Scotland

Local Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Nearest postcode: DG9 8QJ

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Stranraer Cockle Shore Beach, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:48:17 +0100