[2][3] The northern section of the parish lies between Loch Ryan and the Water of Luce and consists of hills and heath.

The southern section lies chiefly in the isthmus between Loch Ryan and Luce Bay, and is low and gently undulating.

Stranraer remains the largest settlement in the parish, although the Northern Ireland ferries which called there now sail from Cairnryan.

The European Union is partly financing a project to enhance the Stranraer and Loch Ryan waterfront.

This area has been known as, and has been recorded in deeds and charters, as Inch and Insche from about the 15th century, when it was part of the Sheriffdom of Wigtown.

[7] From the 15th century, the Kennedy family were baillies of Inch Parish, collecting taxes and owning and leasing property.

[8] Gilbert Kennedy, Earl of Cassillis, a powerful man in Galloway, was granted Ochterlour, south of Stranraer in Inch Parish.

[9][10] On 25 March 1516 there was a commission to Gilbert Kennedy, 2nd Earl of Cassilis, to be captain and keeper of the manor place and loch of Inch.

[12][7] On 25 June 1942 during World War II, when making his second visit to the USA, Winston Churchill flew out of Loch Ryan on a flying boat to meet President Roosevelt.

[25][28][29][30][31] The parish church is located on the shore of Loch Inch, and before the Scottish Reformation it belonged to the Bishop of Galloway.

After the union the parish, which continued under the name of Inch, remained linked to Stranraer St Andrew's.

From September 11–15, 2012 there will be a group working with Giles Carey doing a geo-physics survey of the area to the north of the motte at Innermessan between Stranraer and Cairnryan.

It is a site with a very long history – from early mesolithic ancestors, about 10,000 years ago to a medieval town, now disappeared, which in its time was more important than Stranraer.

[41] Innermessan was the most considerable place in the Rhins and the greatest town thereabout till Stranraer was built.

[42][43][44] "Innermeason" is recorded in a charter by King David II of Scotland (reigned 1329 – 1371) to the Bishop of Galloway, "of the lands of Dermore, in the Rins Rhins within the town of Innermeasan.