[3][4] Dating back some 700 years and built adjacent to the ruins of nearby Dunskey Castle, Portpatrick's position on the Rhins of Galloway affords visitors views of the Northern Irish coast 21 miles (34 km) to the west, with cliff-top walks and beaches both north and south.

The Gulf Stream, flowing in from the north, gives the coastline a pleasant climate, in which subtropical plant life can flourish.

Portpatrick has a Community Council,[5] and an annual Life Boat Week, featuring parades, activities, and a firework display.

By the inner harbour is the starting point of the Southern Upland Way, a long-distance walking route to Cockburnspath on the east coast.

It was the principal port for goods and mail traffic to Ireland from the 17th century, but the strong winds across the North Channel made this impractical.

There was a daily packet boat from Donaghadee, and marriages for couples from Ireland were conducted by the Church of Scotland minister in Portpatrick, although according to Brack (1997) he often overlooked the rules about the publication of banns or the required period of residence.

It was the original terminus of the Portpatrick Railway, in order to serve new steam packet services across the North Channel.

[10] 1⁄2 mile (800 m) south of the village is Dunskey Castle, reached via a steep trail incorporating steps and a narrow bridge.