There is so much to do in and around Ayr, it is difficult to decide what to do and when. Given that the area is steeped in history, activites that take a step back in time are high on the list of “to-dos”.

Ailsa Craig

Sitting 10 miles offshore and easily seen from Girvan, a huge granite monolith is a haven for a multitude of birds. Prominently positioned on Ailsa Craig sits the ruins of a medieval tower. The rock, known by its Gaelic name is Ailsa Craig, or “Fairyland Rock” is renowned for its high quality granite. “Ailsite” is the name of the granite and is used for many things including curling stones.

Bargany Garden

Just 19 miles from Ayr on the Bargany estate are the beautiful Bargany Gardens. Although there is little left of them, the Bargany estate also contains the ruins of three castles dating back to the Kennedy’s. The current owners of Bargany are believed to be descended from the Kennedy’s.

Privately owned, these gardens are opened to the public for a few weeks in May each year. For a small fee, visitors can wander the scenic woodland walkways, take in the kitchen and rock gardens, enjoy the ecosystems of the pond, and drink in the beauty of the gorgeous displays of narcissi, azaleas, and rhododendron. Visiting these gardens is a very restful way to pass an afternoon.

Ayrshire Arts Festival and Robert Burns Festival

Early June brings 2 annual festivals that run at the same time for an entertaining 10 days. The Ayrshire Arts Festival and Robert Burns Festival promote both local performers and internationally known performers from around the globe. From theatrical performances through ballet and operas to poetry readings, folk nights and jazz sessions; there is more than enough entertainment to keep everyone occupied.

Dean Castle Country Park

A few miles north of Ayr, at Kilmarnock, is the magnificent Dean Castle Country Park is well worth visiting. The14th to 15th century castle was once the Boyd family home. Dean Castle houses an incredible display of early musical instruments from Europe, Burns manuscripts and medieval weapons, as well as other interesting items.

Scottish Maritime Museum

The Scottish Maritime Museum has three sites. There is a site located at Irvine, Bumbarton, and Braehead. Each site has a number of vessels on display including tugs, trawlers, and lifeboats. At Irvine you will find the Linthouse engine shop with its displays of model ships. Not only do you view the exhibit but also you can build a model boat and then test it. At Dumbarton, you get to step into the world of shipbuilders. Braehead introduces you to Clyde shipbuilders as well as puts you on the virtual helm of the MV Clan Alpine.

Not only do you learn but the interactive activities truly turn back the clock!

If you are planning a visit to Ayr and are looking for accommodation, there are many places to stay. From B&B’s to castles and everything in between, places to stay are plentiful. Make sure to book early so that you are not disappointed. Ayr is a popular destination and rooms are often booked up.

The Coila Guest House, circa 1895, offers four spacious ensuite rooms in a lovely Victorian villa. Located in the heart of Ayr, Coila Guest House is an easy walk to many local amenities such as restaurants, shopping, the waterfront, etc. The breakfast provided to guests is excellent and guests can chose a light or hearty morning meal to start their day. If you aren’t able to leave your work behind, have no fear. The guest rooms are equipped with work areas and wireless broadband. Spend your days in Ayr enjoying the luxury of the Coila Guest House.

The pet friendly Swallow Station Hotel is housed in a red sandstone Victorian building. With 70 recently refurbished ensuite rooms, it is in the centre of Ayr and there is plenty of parking. You have a choice of dining on traditional Scottish fare in the Arran Braserie or the Gallery lounge with its more eclectic menu. Either way, there will be a meal to everyone’s taste.

Set in a beautiful conservation area just a few minutes walk to the center of town, The Arrandale Hotel is a delightful place to stay. Boasting nine ensuite guestrooms, this hotel has a restful and intimate setting. The rooms are very well appointed and well laid out. For those unable to leave the office behind, there is Internet service in all of the rooms and office services are available. There are several restaurants within a short walk although you can arrange, in advance, to dine at The Arrandale Hotel.

In addition to the above accommodations, there are also many other places to stay in Ayr. One such place is 44-room seafront Fairfield House Hotel that is a converted Victorian mansion boasting many amenities including a pool and gym facilities.

Enjoy your stay in Ayr!

When visiting Ayr, Scotland, you might want local fare at mealtime. There are many pubs and restaurants around Ayr in addition to those listed below. There is no need to dine at the same place twice because of the selection that is available. Go out and enjoy your meals!

The TreeHouse, located at 67-69 Sandgate in Ayr, has all day dining. The breakfast, lunch and supper menus will appeal to most people looking for either a quick bite or a relaxing meal. The prices are extremely reasonable with several express luncheon items priced at £4.95 and many £7.95 main courses for supper. It is doubtful that you will be disappointed after dining out at the TreeHouse.

Just down the coast between Ayr and Girvan is the Dunure Inn. Their lunch and supper menus have everything from Scottish fare like steak pie to international dishes like Cajun Salmon. If you are adventurous and want to try haggis, it is on the menu as well. You can indulge in their afternoon tea between 3PM and 5PM. The home baking is delectable!

A short 10 – 15 minute drive from Ayr will take you to the Craigie Inn. Set in the village of Craigie, this quaint inn has been restored and it will take you back in time. Their menu offers a variety of food so that even the children will be happy. For lunch during the week, you can order dishes like steak and ale pie, scotch stovies, and haggis for the more adventurous. Fish, steak, and lamb all grace the supper menu.

If you are looking for some nightlife and food, drop in to Boswells on Boswell Park. It is a relatively nice bar with a good selection of food. The drinks are very reasonably priced and it is located near other venues. From Boswells you can go out and explore the Ayr nightlife.

Located on Ayr’s Esplanade, the Horizon Hotel is a very scenic place to have a meal. The spectacular Glasshouse Restaurant’s panoramic view of the water will only add enjoyment to your meal. The menus have a lot of variety and breakfast, lunch and supper are available. The High Tea menu is well-priced at £8.95 which includes deep fried fish, Ayrshire bacon steak, beef steak pie, delectable pastries and scrumptious scones.

Enjoy dining at Ayr.

If you are looking for a getaway of a different sort, you may want to consider a castle holiday. You could turn your getaway into a romantic second honeymoon steeped in history. In the area around Ayr, there are several old castles that have accommodations available on their estates. Should stepping back in time appeal to you, you’ll want to make one of these castles the destination of your next vacation.

A short distance south of Ayr, Blairquhan is one such castle. During the 3-mile approach to the castle, you are transported back into time. As you pass over a William Burn bridge and see the River Girvan, the beauty will take your breath away. Some 2-miles down the approach, the castle comes into sight. Its magnificence will make you shiver in awe. As one would expect, the accommodations that are offered are spectacular. There are 8 cottages, some dating back as far as the 1500’s and several well-appointed castle bedrooms that can be booked. As well, Blairquhan offers a bed and breakfast option for parties of 8 or more. You can wander the estate to your heart’s content and lose yourself to the pastoral beauty. A lazy day of fishing can also be arranged if you are so inclined. The prices are very reasonable and the accommodations are modernized and quiet elegant. Meals are optional and, considering what you get, well priced. As well, Blairquhan offers a bed and breakfast option for parties of 8 or more.

Constructed in the 16th century, the Tower of Carnell and the newer mansion house are located between Ayr and Kilmarnock. Renowned architect William Burn extended Carnell to its present glory in the 1840’s although the original tower house can still be seen. This castle not only has large, well-appointed rooms available but there are also buildings on the vast estate that they let for longer terms. This castle is a storybook setting with the manicured lawns and the beautiful gardens. If you are getting married, you may want to consider booking this venue. Be warned however, weddings at Carnell are an exclusive event as there are only 5 allowed per year.

Set on an 85-acre estate, the 14th century Sundrum Castle was built for the Sheriff of Ayr. It provides a different experience for a vacation. Sundrum Castle has the distinction of being one of the oldest inhabited castles in Scotland. A private residence that has been refurbished, it can be rented for a minimum of one month and longer. Imagine living in a castle, sleeping behind 12-foot thick walls, drinking your morning coffee in the Great Hall taking in the beauty of the scenery. The experience would definitely create incredible memories that would be with you forever.

Step into history and book a castle vacation for your next getaway!

Scotland’s golf courses are some of the best in the world. Perhaps this is because the game of golf is credited as starting in Scotland and Scottish pride demands excellent courses for “their” game. A stone’s throw from Ayr lays Preswick, Scotland. This small town is home to an international airport and three excellent golf courses including the world-renowned Preswick Golf Club, home of the British Open. There are several golf courses within the area and these courses make Prestwick and Ayr an alluring destination to visitors. The Ayr/Prestwick area is a golfer’s paradise!

Founded in 1851, Prestwick Golf Club hosted the first Open in 1860. At the course’s inception, Tom Morris was brought in to be the Keeper of the Green, Ball and Club Maker. His son, young Tommy, grew up on the links and honed his skill at the game of golf. In later years, young Tommy went on to win an as yet unmatched 4 Opens. This course will challenge and delight you. The Pow River creates a natural obstacle as it flows through the course. The famous third hole (par 5) abruptly ends 300 yards from the tee at a deep bunker, “the Cardinal”. This hole has dashed many a golfer’s goal of winning their round.

Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, founded in the latter part of 1951, boasts 18-holes that requires the golfer to think out their strategy. A beautiful course, it has some unique landmarks incorporated into it. The Salt Pan buildings date from 1790 and were used for the extraction of salt from the sea. The water-filled quarry just 50 meters from the sea provides the water used to irrigate the course. The quarry is filled with fresh water in spite of its proximity to the sea and provides sanctuary to a wide array of wild water birds.

Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club welcomes visitors with warmth that is not apparent at many courses. Visitors are greeted and shown around the facility by the Starter. He makes sure that they have what they need before they start their round. Be warned, there is no pro shop at Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club so come prepared. There are also a very limited number of carts for rent. The yellow course that the visitor’s play golf on is a par 68 and demands a great deal of attention if one wants to conquer the course.

Just down the road and sharing a border with the Prestwick Golf Club, Royal Troon offers three courses to the avid golfer. If you are looking for a challenge, the Old Course’s 18 holes is the right course for you. The wind and deep rough make accuracy a necessity. With five Par 3’s, the Portland Course is a bit more sheltered but its 18 holes are still quite challenging. The 9-hole Craigend Course has Par 3 holes and is used mostly by junior players because it is a kinder and gentler course. Royal Troon has very limited tee times for visitors so plan in advance and contact them to make sure that your vacation wishes can be accommodated. You will also want a list of the do’s and don’ts when visiting Royal Troon.

This is a small sampling of the courses that you can look forward to when you spend your golfing vacation in the area. Remember to make sure to contact each course well in advance to make sure that you can be accommodated and get all the pertinent visitor information. Taking a golf vacation in this area is definitely not a spur of the moment type of vacation. Your days can be filled enjoying the many gorgeous and well laid out courses that are minutes apart from each other. It will make you wish that you could enjoy the links every day all day.

Born January 25, 1759; Robbie Burns entered the world in the town of Alloway, just a few miles down the road from Ayr. No one had any inkling that this child would grow up to make such a mark on the world of poetry. Unfortunately Scotland’s favorite son, Robbie Burns passed away at age 37. His memory is still honored more than 200 years later. One of the ways that his countrymen have honored him was the creation of the Burns National Heritage Park.

The Burns National Heritage Park allows visitors to soak up the rich and remarkable history of Robbie Burns’ life. Although the Burns family moved several times, it is the birthplace of Robbie Burns that draws am steady stream of tourists. The cottage, built by his father in 1757, was where Robbie started life. Authentically restored, the cottage is central to the Burns National Heritage Park.

In addition to the cottage, the adjacent paddock preserves some of the original plot that Robbie’s father had leased from a local landholder. One of the family’s wells is visible near Greenfield Avenue, the roadway that Robbie’s father was paid to build.

At the Visitor Center, a cutting edge laser-disc show brings to life “Tam o’Shanter”, Robbie Burn’s most beloved tale and recited at many Burns Suppers around the world. Open all year around, the Visitor Center also houses a gift shop that sells all manner of Burn’s memorabilia and a licensed restaurant where you can enjoy an authentic Scottish meal in air-conditioned comfort. A children’s area often rings with the sounds of children playing.

In the Burns Cottage Museum, you will find the manuscript of Auld Lang Syne on display. Yes, this is the original manuscript of the world’s most recognizable song. There is a sizable collection of Robbie Burns’ works and personal effects from Robbie and his family. Considered to be the world’s most important Burns’ collection, the wealth of historical information on Robbie Burns’ life is staggering.

The brig soanning the Doon River allows visitors to walk and get a glimpse into Burns’ famous Brig O’Doon. There is a marvelous collection of artistic rendering of the brig in the Burns Cottage Museum.

Perhaps the creepiest part of the Burns National Heritage Park is the walk through Auld Kirk Alloway, the cemetery where William Burns is buried. On an overcast day, among the crumbling walls, there is an unsettling feeling that overtakes visitors. Burns’ tale of the supernatural is set here and both fascinates and repels fans but still they come.

For a man that lived such a short life, Robbie Burns was able to transcend world boundaries with his poetry. Visiting the Burns National Heritage Park is an experience worth having! All this is just a scant 3 miles from Ayr.

Ayr Racecourse bills itself as being the premier racecourse in Scotland. It is a very impressive racecourse with great horse races, jumping events, and outstanding facilities. Affordable entertainment at affordable pricing in a terrific facility makes a visit to Ayr Racecourse a must in every visitor’s itinerary.

In 2009, 27 events are on the schedule for Ayr Racecourse. The racecourse offers a broad selection of tickets, including memberships, which will suit everyone’s pocketbook. From the £5 Value Day to the £260 Club Season Ticket, and everything in between, offers good value for the money. Many of the prices have been held at the 2008 level. There is always a good reason to attend the races.

Different levels of memberships and tickets at the Ayr Racecourse allow you to enjoy different privileges. When making your decision to buy a ticket or a membership, you’ll want to review the racecourse’s facility to make sure that you are getting the amenities that will give you the enjoyment the you want. There are several lounges and bars that allow you to so everything from have a casual bite to eat with friends at The Bistro Cafe and Coffee Shop, absorb the atmosphere in the Summer Club Bar, be entertained in the recently opened state-of-the-art Grandstand Sports Bar or just absorb the excitement of race day in the many other facilities at the racecourse. Among the several eateries available at Ayr Racecourse, a variety of dishes from casual to champagne and seafood tempt your palate. What could be more tempting than a night out at the races?

The Ayr Racecourse has the 4-star Western House Hotel right next door. How convenient for the traveler! A small but elegant hotel, it has 49 well appointed rooms. The on-site Jockey Club Lounge is an intimate restaurant that seats 30 for lunch and supper. Because of the hotel’s proximity to the Prestwick International Airport, it gives race fans from all over an ideal place to take a bit of a vacation. When you want to do something different, there is lots to explore or you could play golf at the Royal Troon golf course.

Whether it is a jumping or racing event, you will find yourself in a different world. Being immersed in the atmosphere and excitement of the racecourse, as well as enjoying the amenities available and the excellent pricing, are all great reasons to spend some time at the Ayr Racecourse. Why not head off to the races at Ayr and have a day to remember?

The Scottish Firth of Clyde riverport town of Ayr has historical roots going back to the 13th century. To put the length of time into perspective, Ayr existed before the Magna Carta was signed and several years before the Fifth Crusade. From the castle built in 1197 to the present day, Ayr is steeped in more than 800 years of history. A Royal Burgh charter was issued to Ayr in 1205 and is the oldest surviving founding Royal Burgh charter in Scotland.

Delving into Ayr’s past, you’ll find that the town was held by the British for a very few years (1301-1312). Although the church it was attached to was demolished, St John’s Tower was the site of the first “sitting” of Parliament of Scotland led by in 1315 and still stands. This “sitting” of the Parliament of Scotland led by Robert the Bruce occurred 13 years before he was declared King of Scotland.

Examples of 15th century construction exist to this day. Image the solid construction that feat would take. A few such examples are the Tolbooth, Louden Hall and the Auld Brig, now a pedestrian walkway. The port remained a busy place and the town thrived.

In 1654 Oliver Cromwell built a citadel on the site of the original castle and much of the citadel’s wall is still visible. The 1700’s brought the New Bridge that replaced Auld Brig as the main crossing. Unfortunately that washed away in flooding in the 19th century and had to be rebuilt. So many parts of Ayr’s long history remain an integral part of the town and are celebrated proudly.

It is fitting that the birthplace of John Loudon McAdam, engineer and renowned road innovator, should be home to such beautiful bridge construction. The Borderline Theatre, the County Building, Sandgate and the Town Hall Spire are all excellent examples of architecture and construction from a day gone by.

The water, the beaches, the buildings, the history, the countryside, and so much more draw tourists to Ayr. There are a seemingly endless number of things to do and see around Ayr. Relax on the beach, explore the countryside, or slip over to Prestwick to enjoy a round of golf on one of Prestwick’s golf courses, including the world famous home of the British Open, the Prestwick Golf Club. A vacation in Ayr will provide you with wonderful memories for years.