A 35 mile drive from the hubbub of Glasgow, Ayr is an attractive coastal town in the mouth of The Firth Of Clyde, whose charm has been preserved the in verse and chorus of Scotland’s most celebrated poet, Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. Ayr is the sort of relaxed bucket and spade seaside town that draws visitors from far and wide who come to enjoy its windswept beaches, harbour and scenic walks, and its many historic sites. There is plenty to keep its guests entertained: no matter what the capricious weather of south-west Scotland can throw at it. There are some magnificent walks to be enjoyed along the River Ayr Way. A 44 mile walkway, stretching from Glenbuck to Ayr: this is a remarkably undisturbed stretch of the country – despite never straying to far from the villages which follow its trail. In 1197, William I built a castle on the banks of the River Ayr, and granted the town Royal Burgh status in 1205 – a status it held until 1975. Robert The Bruce established Scotland’s first parliament in Ayr, in 1315 at Saint John The Baptist’s Kirk. But it was Cromwell’s rule that left a more indelible mark on the town, building walls to fortify his command in 1652, and supplementing the kirk latterly with Saint John’s tower. Remnants of Cromwell’s citadel are dotted around the town. Funded by Cromwell’s purse, Alloway Kirk, or Auld Kirk as it’s known, adopts a ghostly pallor when illuminated at night, and was brought to life in the verse of Burns’ ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. Born in the suburb of Alloway, 1759, Burns had a precocious talent for kinetic, humorous poetry. In his hometown, Burns Cottage exhibits some of his handwritten oeuvres and is a wonderful place to learn about the man whose purple prose sired the Burns Supper, an evening of haggis, rhyme and merriment. Still celebrating the convivial nature of Burns’ work, the Tam o’ Shanter inn on Ayr’s High Street is the ideal place to raise a glass in honour of The Bard. The annual Burns An’ A’ That! festival is held annual to commemorate his work and has proved a huge success for the area. Ayr’s town centre is dominated by the town hall. Standing at the corner of Sandgate and High Street, its 225 foot spire spears the skyline. An unmistakable feature is that of Auld Brig (Old Bridge). The bridge was originally fashioned from timber in the 13th century, before being rebuilt in the 15th century in the more robust stone structure that survives to this day. It’s now trumped as a crossing by New Bridge (1878), but remains a fully-functioning pedestrian bridge, and a tribute to durable bridgework. Ayr’s economy was built on the trade from its harbour, and it benefits from good communications to this day, with Prestwick International Airport to its north. Ayr is also an important horse racing venue, with Ayr Racecourse hosting the premiere dates in Scotland’s racing calendar, the Scottish Grand National and the Gold Cup. Famous for another thoroughbred, Ayr is also the birthplace of Sir John L. McAdam, originator of tarmacadam. History, culture and coastal vistas; it’s little wonder Ayr’s as popular with holiday makers as ice cream and sunshine.
Attraction
Burns National Heritage Park
Cathcartston Visitors Centre
Heads of Ayr Park
Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centre
Scottish Industrial Railway Centre
Tam O' Shanter Experience
Budget
Arrandale Hotel *book online*
Daviot House *book online*
Express By Holiday Inn *book online*
Premier Inn Ayr *book online*
The Dunn Thing *book online*
Travelodge Ayr *book online*
Caravan Park
Craig Tara Holiday Park
Craigie Gardens Caravan Club Site
Heads of Ayr Leisure Park
Sundrum Castle Holiday Park
Church
Cinema
Classes
Club
Council
South Ayrshire Council
South Ayrshire Council
Dentist
Alloway Place Dental Practice
Andersson Dental
Dental Surgery
Dental Surgery
Quadrant Dental Practice
Doctor
Barns Medical Centre
Cathcart Street Surgery
Cornhill Surgery
Dalblair Medical Practice
Estate Agent
Allen & Harris
Countrywide Estate Agents
Donald Ross Estate Agents Ltd
James B Black Hay & Co
Murphy-Scoular
Parkhouse Property Services
Slater Hogg & Howison
The McKinstry Property Co
Farmers Market
Golf Club
Belleisle Golf Course
Dalmilling
Health and Fitness Club
Academy Fitness
Active Health Scotland
Bannatyne’s Health Club
Reach The Peak Fitness
Sebastian Coe Health Club
Holiday Park
Craig Tara Holiday Park
Crofthead Holiday Park
Gadgirth Lodges
Middlemuir Holiday Park
Sundrum Castle Holiday Park
Inn
Market
Performing Arts
Ayr Choral Union
Dansarena Studios Ltd
Jennie Campbell School Of Dancing
Pub and Bar
Crown BarGlenpark Hotel
Hollybush Inn
Redstone Inn
Schooner Bar
Ship Inn
Steamboat Tavern
Tam O'Shanter Inn
Tree House
Vulcan Tavern
Waterside
Wheatsheaf Inn
Wolf & Whistle
Racecourse
Restaurant
Balgarth
Balgarth Brewers Fayre
Caprice
Cecchinis Restaurant
Crown Bar
Dinos
Fouters Bistro
Harvey's
Hollybush Inn
Hunny Pot
Kashmir
Lazeez
Meridian (The)
Mezzaluna
New City Cantonese Restaurant
Peters
Royal Blossom
Ruby
Tudor
Waterside
Wheatsheaf Inn
School
Dansarena Studios Ltd
Jennie Campbell School Of Dancing
St Ann’s Primary School
Wellington School
Self-Catering
Craig Tara Holiday Park
Gadgirth Lodges
Kilmore Cottages
Kilmore Cottages Log Cabins
Mackays Holiday Cottages & Lodges
Solicitor
Haggarty W M
Lambert & Co
Mclennan Adam Davis
Sprang Terras
Taxi
Ayr Black Taxis
Ayr Premier Taxis
Carrolls Taxis
Gribbens Central Taxis
John's Taxis
Mainline Taxis
Streamline
Town Taxis
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Ayr Carrick TC (Tennis)
Ayr United Football Club (Football)
Coylton TC (Tennis)
Kyle Judokwai (Dalmilling) (Martial Arts)
Shops
The Bookshelf
Hollow Park Florists
Boots
Early Learning Centre
Chisholms of Ayr
Dobbies Garden Centre
Cassillis Living Colour
Acorn Pet Centre
Precious Pets
As-nu Kitchens & Replacement doors
Bella Home & Gifts
Forehill Pharmacy
Kilgour
One Step Ahead
The Rieker Shop
Carphone Warehouse
Majestic Wine
Reid Furniture
PC World
H Samuel
Ernest Jones
Superdrug
B&Q
Art Of Acupuncture
Dreams
Lloyds Pharmacy
Edinburgh Woollen Mill
Rowlands Pharmacy
Specsavers
Julian Graves
T K Maxx
Art of Acupuncture
J J B Sports
Pets At Home
Rainbow Room International
River Island
Topshop
BHS
Moonstone
Antiques
Activities
Ayr Roads Cycling Club(Cycling)
Places to Stay near Ayr
Ivy House Hotel (0.59 miles)
Click for special and substantially discounted rates from Laterooms
Located in the Heart of Burns Country, just 5 minutes from Ayr Town Centre and 100 metres from Burns Cottage, The Ivy House is one ... More
Old Racecourse Hotel (0.62 miles)
We pride ouselves on traditional fayre, with bar meals and real ales.Located less than 1 mile from the centre of Ayr, and 1/2 a mile from Belleisle and Seafield Golf ... More
Inverlea Guest House (0.69 miles)
Chalmers Bed & Breakfast (0.69 miles)
This beautiful Victorian property with ample car parking is located in Ayr, 15 minutes from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport with private transfer services available. Chalmers is 5 minutes from Ayr bus and ... More
Grange View B&B (0.81 miles)
2 minutes walk from Ayr town centre, 2 minutes walk from Ayr Rail Station,10 minutes drive from Prestwick Airport Free airport drop off service available on departureAll accommodation on ground ... More
One Alloway Retreat (0.83 miles)
“One Alloway Retreat” Luxury, stylish, contemporary boutique accommodation in Alloway Village ~ Ayrshire ~ West of Scotland.
A new concept in providing luxury, boutique style accommodation located in the romantic village ... More
Turas-Mara Guest House (0.85 miles)
A beautifully maintained Victorian villa which is close to the town centre and the railway station. Less than 10 minutes from Prestwick Airport.
Ideal base for golfing parties with the vast variety ... More
Crescent (The) (0.88 miles)
Leslie Anne Guest House (0.91 miles)
This comfy, refurbished Victorian guest house is 5 minutes from the town centre. The racecourse, seafront and Ayr River Walk are within walking distance. Leslie Anne Guest House is a 5-mile drive ... More
Garth Madryn (0.92 miles)
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |