Destinations > Scotland > Glasgow & Strathclyde > Ayrshire

Ayrshire

This region south of Glasgow is comprised of three unitary authorities: East, North and South Ayrshire. Most attractions here can be visited as an easy daytrip from Glasgow, but a longer visit is best if you want to explore the Isle of Arran.

Ayr & Alloway

Located just south of Prestwick International Airport, this town of 50,000 boasts a sandy beach and it was a seaside resort in Victorian times. Robert Burns, who wrote Auld Lang Syne, was born 5km south of Ayr in the pretty village of Alloway and many people visit Ayr to tour the area's Burns related sights.

Practical Information

Ayr Tourist Information Centre

22 Sandgate, Ayr

Tel (01292) 288 688

Website www.ayrshire-arran.com

Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Coming & Going

The train is the best way to get to Ayr. There are frequent trains to Glasgow as it is part of its suburban rail network. The train runs via Prestwick International Airport, which is just a short distance north of town.

Sights

Burns Cottage & Museum

Robert Burns was born in this cottage in 1759; two years after his father built it. Both the cottage and the adjoining museum are packed with Burns memorabilia.

Murdoch's Lone, Alloway

Tel (01292) 441215

Website www.burnsheritagepark.com

Admission £3

Open Jan-Mar 10am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 9.30am-5.30pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Kirk Alloway

The ruins of this 16th century church are the setting for the Burns' tale Tam O'Shanter.

Murdoch's Lone, Alloway

Admission free

Always open

Tam O'Shanter Experience

This visitors' centre features exhibits and audio-visual displays about the life and works of Robert Burns.

Murdoch's Lone, Alloway

Tel (01292) 443700

Website www.burnsheritagepark.com

Admission £1.50

Open Jan-Mar 10am-5pm daily; Spr-Oct 9.30am-5.30pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-5pm daily

Culzean Castle

Located around 20km south of Ayr, this majestic castle features an opulent interior and a dramatic cliff top setting.

Maybole, South Ayrshire

Bus 60 from Ayr

Tel (01655) 884400

Website www.nts.org.uk

Admission £10 (£7.50 HI/SYHA)

Open Apr-Oct 10.30am-5pm daily (last entry 4pm)

Isle of Arran

Easily accessible from Glasgow, this picturesque island is popular with many tourists who don't have the time to make it to the Highlands or the more northern islands. The compact island offers contrasting scenery that ranges from granite peaks to rolling hills and sandy beaches. Attractions include stone circles that date from the Bronze Age as well as a wide variety of wildlife that make it a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts.

Brodick, Lamlash and Lochranza are the island's main villages. Most attractions are in Brodick, where the ferry from Ardrossan arrives, but most backpackers stay at the hostels in Lochranza and Lamlash.

Practical Information

Tourist Information Centre

Brodick, Isle of Arran

Tel (01770) 302 140

Website www.ayrshire-arran.com

Open Jan-May Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm; Jun-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-7.30pm, Sun 10am-5pm; Oct-Dec Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm

Coming & Going

Caledonian MacBrayne ferries (tel (08457) 484950; website www.calmac.co.uk) make the one-hour trip between Brodick and Ardrossan, which is easily accessible by train from Glasgow.

Local Transport

Stagecoach (tel (01770) 302000; website www.stagecoachbus.co.uk) runs most bus services on the island.

Accommodation

Lochranza SYHA

Lochranza, Isle of Arran KA27 8HL
Tel 0870 004 1140

Sights

Brodick Castle

Brodick Castle is a former Viking fortress that has had major additions made in the 13th, 16th and 17th centuries. The castle is the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton and it boasts extensive grounds that feature walking trails, wildlife pools and waterfalls.

Brodick, Isle of Arran

Tel (01770) 302 202

Website www.nts.org.uk

Admission £8 (£6 HI/SYHA), garden only £4 (£3 HI/SYHA)

Open Apr-Sep 11am-4.30pm daily; Oct 11am-3.30pm daily

Isle of Arran Heritage Museum

The small Isle of Arran Heritage Museum features displays on local history that date back 5000 years.

A841, Rosaburn, Brodick, Isle of Arran

Tel (01770) 302 636

Website www.arranmuseum.co.uk

Admission £2.50

Open Apr-Oct 10.30am-4.30pm daily