North West Castle

North West Castle stands in Stranraer, a town in Dumfries and Galloway in south-west Scotland. Built in 1820 as a country house, it later became a three-star hotel. The building is closely linked to Sir John Ross, a rear admiral and Arctic explorer who returned from his first Northwest Passage expedition and designed the grounds. Ross also commissioned a full-scale model of his ship’s cabin, the Victory, which now forms part of the hotel bar. The house later became home to Rev. Robert Cunningham, a key figure in 19th-century Scottish education. Cunningham had been head master of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and founded Melville College and Blairlodge School in Polmont. After the Disruption of 1843 he helped establish the Free Church of Scotland before retiring to North West Castle in 1860. He lived there until his death in 1883. In 1970 the building opened as the world’s first hotel with an indoor curling rink, attracting curlers from across the globe. Visitors find a mix of historic rooms and modern facilities. The ship-cabin model in the bar remains a striking feature from Ross’s time. The indoor curling rink draws enthusiasts year-round. The hotel’s grounds and Stranraer’s coastal setting add to the peaceful atmosphere.