Ayr coastAyr is a very pleasant seaside town in Ayrshire County. It’s well known for being the birthplace of national poet, Robert Burns and also for being the home of the Scottish Grand National. From the coast you can take in some beautiful views of the Firth of Clyde. On the horizon you can marvel at the impressive peaks of the Isle of Arran and further on, the Mull of Kintyre.
Ayr is a nicely preserved seaside resort, with a sandy beach and esplanade to stroll along. The town has a good selection of independent shops and chain stores, so it’s worth a look to pick up some bargains and locally manufactured gifts. For big stores head for the Kyle Centre. If you have come to Scotland to play golf, Ayr has no less than three courses open to the public: Belleisle, Seafield and Dalmilling. If you want to see some horse racing, Ayr Racecourse hosts frequent meetings, so have a look at the fixtures to time your visit to town just right. It’s always fun to have a light flutter with your family and friends!
Culzean Castle
Robert Burns was actually born in Alloway, which is on the outskirts of Ayr. If you love his poetry and want to learn more about him, you can’t go wrong with a visit to Roberts Burns’ Birthplace Museum. Alloway is the setting for his most famous poem Tam O’ Shanter too.
Looking for somewhere to eat? Why not try Brig o’ Doon House on for size? Overlooking the actual Brig o’ Doon from the climax of Tam O’ Shanter, the restaurant is locally respected for its choice of traditional Scottish meals. The Brig and the Burns Memorial Gardens is very close by for a post-meal stroll. The Burns Memorial Gardens is a beautiful park maintained to commemorate the short life of Burns. Nowadays it's managed by the National Trust.
“Unspoilt seaside views will keep you coming back to Ayr again and again…”
On the sea front is Ayr Harbour which is home to its fishing fleet. Ayr is well connected to Glasgow by rail with trains leaving every half-an-hour six days a week. Ferries also connect Ayr and Troon to some of the islands, across the Firth of Clyde. On a very clear day you can see the tip of Northern Ireland, so keep your eyes peeled.
A favourite family attraction close to Ayr is Heads of Ayr Farm Park (4.5 miles) where you'll find animals and play areas for little ones to enjoy. Meet some of the critters up close, including guinea pigs, rabbits, parrots and ferrets. We have some lovely holiday cottages in and around Ayr. Why not visit our collection to feel inspired about your next trip to Scotland?