ABOUT AYRSHIRE
AYRSHIRE, SOUTH WEST SCOTLAND
Ayrshire is located in the South West of Scotland and as well as being an established destination for short breaks, golf, activities and history it also remains well located for trips to both Glasgow and Edinburgh and indeed as a gateway to the West Highlands of Scotland through the Island of Arran.
PERFECT HOLIDAY DESTINATION
Ayrshire has plenty to offer the visitor, from its links with the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns, through to world famous golf and some of the best sailing waters in the United Kingdom. Horse riding, hunting, shooting and fishing can all be arranged for guests in conjunction with nearby estates and increasingly outdoor activities and extreme sports are becoming more available.
Castles and historic trails abound with many famous sites of interest and ruins to be explored and a host of attractions associated with Burns.
Situated on the beautiful Clyde Coast, Ayrshire and Arran is a holiday destination that is as exciting as it is peaceful, and as fascinating as it is fun.
Ayrshire and Arran are a mecca for all golfers with over forty quality courses, including three Open Championship courses. It is also home to some of the most prestigious heritage and visitor attractions that Scotland has to offer. Ancient castles, beautiful country parks and gardens, bustling market towns and award-winning visitor attractions are all to hand and set in awe-inspiring scenery. The spectacular granite mountains, ancient stone circles and the sheltered waters of the Firth of Clyde act as a magnet for walkers, cyclists, fishermen and sailing enthusiasts alike.
It is also the birthplace of world-renowned poet Robert Burns, and there are plentiful reminders of the man and his world to explore here.
The Isle of Arran, reached by ferry from Ardrossan, is known as ‘Scotland in miniature’. A fascinating and surprising island, it has an unrivalled range of landscapes, covering the whole spectrum of Scottish scenery in one delightfully compact package. It is big enough to offer a bewildering variety of activities yet small enough to retain its intimate island atmosphere.
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
Ayrshire is well placed to offer the visitor plenty of things to do. It has a wide range of visitor attractions across the county and Castles and historic trails abound with many famous sites of interest and ruins to be explored and an abundance of family attractions and outdoor sports facilities.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
History and heritage loom large with a list including the very splendid Culzean Castle, nearby Dundonald Castle and other country parks and castles at Kelburn and Dean. Robert Burns was born in nearby Alloway and there are now attractions showcasing his life and works and in May every year a festival of the arts, Burns an’ a” That, celebrates his influence.
For the Burns enthusiast or even just the casual visitor a trip to the Burns National Heritage Park is a must. You can enjoy the audio-visual interpretation of Tam O’Shanter Experience before strolling along the road to visit Burns Cottage. Continue the experience with a visit to Souter Johnnie’s Cottage or the Bachelor’s Club.
For the family how about the Heads of Ayr Farm Park, Vikingar or experience a bit of industrial heritage at the Scottish Maritime Museum.
Family leisure centres include The Portal, Galleon Leisure Centre and The Citadel in Ayr. Other outdoor and sporting facilities include the Newmilns Snow Centre which is about fifteen minutes from Kilmarnock and offers dry slope skiing and snowboarding facilities.