Plan Your Stay
Ayrshire has history, built architecture and natural scenery to rival Scotland’s finest and, arguably, offers one of the most exciting investment opportunities in the country. Emerging from an industrial past which both often boosted towns then left them bereft when technology moved on, Ayr is entering a new age of investment in travel, tourism and culture. With great beaches and the freedom of wild spaces, many Ayrshire towns are emerging from a post-industrial hibernation to enthusiastically embrace their new, 21st century incarnation.
Things To Do In Ayrshire
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Alloway is the birthplace of internationally renowned poet Robert Burns and a trip here would not be complete without a visit to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, which has the most significant Burns collection anywhere in the world. Your entry allows you to step back in time and visit Burns Cottage where the bard was born and lived as a child.
King Charles’ home in Scotland at Dumfries House
Dumfries House is a Palladian country house in Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located within a large estate, around two miles west of Cumnock. Noted for being one of the few such houses with much of its original 18th-century furniture still present, including specially commissioned Thomas Chippendale pieces, the house and estate is now owned by The Prince's Foundation, a charity which maintains it as a visitor attraction and hospitality and wedding venue. Both the house and the gardens are listed as significant aspects of Scottish heritage.
Culzean castle and Country Park, owned by the National Trust for Scotland
Culzean Castle and Country Park is a must-see on any visit to South Ayrshire. Designed by 18th century, celebrity architect Robert Adam, it’s simply spectacular, nestled among the cliffs on the approach from the winding Carrick coastal road.
Ayr Citadel
Ayr Citadel was built in 1657 on the command of Oliver Cromwell, after the English Civil War and the abolition of the monarchy, to hold down a war weary, hostile Scottish population. It could house a garrison of up to 1000 troops, and was designed to be a huge, impenetrable fortress, bounded on two sides by the sea.
Golf Courses
Troon - Darley, Lochgreen, Fullarton, Royal Troon, Portland, Kilmarnock Barassie, Ayr - Belleisle Park, Seafield, Dalmilling, Maybole, Girvan, and the famous Turnberry resort offer some of the best golfing experiences in the world.
Souter Johnnie’s Cottage
The character of Souter Johnnie became famous worldwide thanks to his appearance in just a few lines of the famous poem by Robert Burns, ‘Tam o’ Shanter’. We get a real insight into his character from the lines, ‘and at his elbow Souter Johnnie his ancient, trusty, drouthy crony.’
Loudoun Hall
Loudon Hall was built around 1513 by James Tait, a wealthy burgess of Ayr. It’s one of the earliest examples in Scotland of a townhouse of the late medieval period, has been restored by the Saltire Society, and is worth a visit.
Things To Do In Ayrshire
These are just a few of the highlights. Find more at Destination South Ayrshire.
