Ayr

📌 Town in South Ayrshire
★★★

Ayr is a key hub for southwest Scotland and – we think – an underrated destination no matter the season or weather. The town offers two rivers, a long beach and an equally long history, having attained Royal Burgh status in 1205, securing its future as a market town and port. The geographical setting perhaps make Ayr a little like a west coast version of Aberdeen, though usually a little warmer – strictly meteorologically speaking, of course. Sandgate is the oldest street, and is now one of the main shopping thoroughfares along with High Street. Despite quite a few boarded-up premises on our 2022 visit, there are still some familiar brands along with numerous eateries; we enjoyed an excellent brunch at Unity Grill on the corner of Sandgate and Newmarket Street. Curiously, there is no town museum. The 15th century Auld Brig across the wide River Ayr is still open to pedestrians, while to the west, St John’s Tower is a remnant of Ayr’s original parish church; visit the latter on the way to the beach. The leafy, southerly suburb of Alloway is much more touristy, for Robert Burns was born here in 1759. Alloway’s sights are included in the list below.

🌍 Location

📌 South Ayrshire

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NS 337221

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.464517,-4.631975

🚶 The beach is about a 15-min walk from the town centre; Alloway is probably more easily reached by bus.

🚆🚌 Excellent transport connections, with trains & numerous buses from towns including Glasgow, Kilmarnock & Stranraer.

🚗 Central car parks have a charge. There is free parking on the seafront, about 0.5 mi from the centre.

<1 mi away

>> Ayr Beach ★★★

>> St John’s Tower ★

<3 mi away

>> Robert Burns’ Alloway page: Alloway Auld Kirk ★; Burns Cottage ★★; Burns Monument and Gardens & Brig o’ Doon ★★; Robert Burns Birthplace Museum ★★★ (2 mi ↓)

>> Greenan Castle ★★ (2 mi ↓)

>> Prestwick Beach ★★ (2 mi ↑)

>> Rozelle Estate ★★ (2 mi ↓)

>> Rozelle Estate Galleries ★★ (2 mi ↓)