Area Around Ayr

Ayr was a popular resort for Victorians and many large hotels and houses were built to meet that demand creating a prosperous-looking town.   However, with the advent of package holidays abroad, many of these fell into a state of disrepair but most have now been refurbished and the town is regaining its former splendour.  The sandy beaches still attract tourists but many use Ayr as a base to explore the area outside the town where the poet Robert Burns (1759-1796) was born and lived for most of his life. 

Of Historical Interest
There are a few visitor attractions in Ayr, such as the Auld Brig, built in 1491 and the focus of one of Robert Burns' poems the Twa Brigs (the other bridge was built by Robert Adam in 1787 but later demolished).  Another sight is the 17th century Auld Kirk, commissioned by Cromwell, with its 19th century mort-safe used to place over new graves to deter body-snatchers who would sell the bodies to the medical school.  Robert Burns was christened here.  St. John's Tower, set on the site of Cromwell's Citadel, was part of a church where the Scottish parliament met in 1315 to decide the royal accession after their victory at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Alloway, 3 miles south of the centre of Ayr on the B724, is the birthplace of Robert Burns and the area is entitled Burns Natural Heritage Park with many places of interest to visit within a small area.  The most famous is the Burns Cottage and Museum.  The cottage is full of Burns' memorabilia and depicts the way ordinary people lived in the late 19th century.   It is a short walk to the Alloway Auld Kirk, one of the settings for his famous poem about Tam o'Shanter, and the Tam o'Shanter Experience where you can see an enactment of the poem on screen and videos of his life.  Set beside this is the Burns Monument and Gardens from where you can see the famous 13th century Brig  o'Doon.  This was the bridge over which Tam o'Shanter rode (after a night's drinking in the pub) to escape witches who were pursuing him but they pulled off his horse's tail before he did so.

Other Activities
The Burns an' a' That festival is held in May each year.  A day out at the Ayr Races (horse-racing) can be profitable and enhance your holiday budget (if successful) - the Scottish Grand National and the Scottish Derby are held here.  As the area around Ayr is flat, it is conducive to gentle cycling.  There is a Butlins at the Heads of Ayr which has a great indoor water park and other family activities.

Information
Ayr is 33 miles from Glasgow and is easily accessed by road (M77/A77), rail or bus (mainly hourly).  Buses run south to Girvan, Stranraer and Dumfries, and north to Irvine, Largs and Greenock.  There are many hotels in Ayr - try the tourist office at 22 Sandgate for details.  Ayr has an abundance of good restaurants, for example, Fouters Bistro (in a former bank vault), Caprice (French cuisine), Cecchini (for pizzas and pasta), the Rupee Room (Indian) and the Treehouse with lively DJ music at weekends.