Former ferry port hopes to become Scotland's 'oyster town'

A former ferry port in south-west Scotland is bidding to become known as the nation's "oyster town".

Loch Ryan near Stranraer is home to the country's last remaining wild, sustainably-harvested, native oyster bed and hosts a festival celebrating them each year.

A motion from councillors Andrew Giusti and David Inglis said that had been instrumental in rebranding the town as a "vibrant foodie destination".

Now they want to see Dumfries and Galloway Council (DGC) designate it as the region's "oyster town" and to also seek Scotland-wide recognition.

For more than a century, Stranraer was best known as a ferry town with regular crossings to Northern Ireland.

However, that changed in 2011 when Stena Line moved its operations up the coast to Cairnryan in a bid to cut both costs and journey times.

A wide range of measures have been undertaken or are planned in the town to help with regeneration.

One of the most successful has been its oyster festival which was launched in 2017 to celebrate the local oyster beds.

It regularly attracts thousands of visitors and is credited with generating millions of pounds for the area.

The local councillors want DGC to recognise the "proven success of oyster-led tourism in driving footfall, supporting local hospitality, and boosting the wider economy of Wigtownshire".

They also want to highlight the "incredible dedication and vision" shown by those behind the festival.

A motion to go before councillors this week will ask them to agree to formally adopt and promote the designation of Stranraer as Dumfries and Galloway's "oyster town".

It will also seek to pursue Scotland-wide recognition by getting the council leader to write to the Scottish government requesting its backing.

The council's economic development team will also be asked to promote the designation within relevant tourism strategies and plans.