Ayr Travel Guide

Trek Zone

Town

Facts and practical information

Located on the southwestern coast of Scotland, Ayr is a charming town that offers visitors a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and traditional Scottish hospitality. With a rich heritage dating back to ancient times, Ayr is steeped in history and boasts a range of attractions that are sure to captivate travelers.

One of the most famous landmarks in Ayr is the Burns Cottage, the birthplace of Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns. This humble cottage, nestled in the picturesque countryside, provides a fascinating insight into the life and works of this literary icon. Visitors can explore the cottage, which has been restored to its original 18th-century condition, and learn about Burns' life through interactive exhibits and displays.

For those seeking outdoor adventures, Ayr is also an ideal destination. The town is located on the stunning Ayrshire coastline, which is home to beautiful sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. Ayr Beach, a Blue Flag beach, offers the perfect spot for sunbathing, picnicking, or even trying your hand at various water sports such as windsurfing and sailing. The nearby Heads of Ayr Farm Park is a popular attraction for families, where visitors can get up close and personal with a variety of animals, enjoy thrilling rides, and explore indoor and outdoor play areas.

Ayr's town center is a bustling hub of activity, with a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. From traditional Scottish fare to international cuisine, visitors will find plenty of options to tantalize their taste buds. The town also boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene, with various galleries, theaters, and music venues hosting a range of performances throughout the year.

History buffs will also find plenty to keep them busy in Ayr. The town is home to several well-preserved historical sites, including the Auld Kirk of Ayr, a medieval church that dates back to the 13th century, and the Ayr Town Hall, an impressive Victorian-era building that showcases stunning architectural features.

Alternative names: Population: 47.2 thous.Area: 6.91 mi²Elevation: 43 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 55°27'40"N, 4°37'47"W

Location

ScotlandUnited Kingdom

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Ayr Top Attractions

Ayr Attractions - What to See and Explore

Ayr offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Ayr Racecourse, Burns Cottage, Ayr Cathedral, Greenan Castle. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Horse track • Gambling • Sport venue
Ayr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse, nestled in the historic coastal town of Ayr, Scotland, is a premier destination for horse racing enthusiasts and casual tourists alike. This illustrious venue is renowned for hosting some of Scotland's most prestigious races, including the Scottish...
Museum • History museum • Vernacular architecture
Burns Cottage
Burns Cottage, the first home of Robert Burns is located in Alloway, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was built by his father, William Burness in 1757. Burns, Scotland's national poet, was born there on 25 January 1759.
Church
Ayr Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Saint Margaret, also known as Ayr Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Ayr, Scotland. It is the seat of the Bishop of Galloway, and the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway.

Forts and castles
Greenan Castle
Greenan Castle is a 16th-century ruined tower house, around 2+1⁄2 miles southwest of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Situated at the top of a sea cliff, it was originally a promontory fort converted into a motte-and-bailey in the 12th century.
Bridge
Brig o' Doon
The Brig o' Doon, sometimes called the Auld Brig or Old Bridge of Doon, is a late medieval bridge in Ayrshire, Scotland, and a Category A structure.
Nature • Natural attraction • Mysterious site
Electric Brae
The Electric Brae is a gravity hill in Ayrshire, Scotland, where a freewheeling vehicle will appear to be drawn uphill by some mysterious attraction. The phenomenon is an optical illusion.
Museum • Historical place
Bachelors' Club
The Bachelors' Club is a National Trust for Scotland museum located at 1 Sandgate Street, Tarbolton, KA5 5RB. The upstairs room was the largest in Tarbolton and was used for a number of social events.
Museum • Scenic railroads • Tours
Scottish Industrial Railway Centre
The Scottish Industrial Railway Centre is an industrial heritage museum operated by the Ayrshire Railway Preservation Group. The centre owns a number of standard gauge steam locomotives and diesel locomotives as well as some narrow gauge items and an extensive collection of photographs.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre is a category B listed performing arts venue in Ayr, Scotland. It is noted for its interior rococo features, its atmosphere and its acoustics.
Music venue
Ayr Pavilion
Ayr Pavilion is a former music venue and multi-purpose hall in Ayr, Scotland, situated on Ayr's Low Green. As of 2020, it is used as "Pirate Pete's Family Entertainment Centre".
55°25'39"N • 4°38'5"W
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
Museum • Specialty museum
55°28'13"N • 4°37'22"W
Ayr TMD
Ayr TMD is a railway traction maintenance depot in Ayr, Scotland. The depot is located to the south of Newton-on-Ayr railway station. The depot code is AY.
55°27'26"N • 4°36'10"W
Wallace's Heel Well
Wallace's Heel Well or Wallace's Heel is located beside the River Ayr near the old Holmston lime kiln, Ayr, Scotland. It is a petrosomatoglyph said to represent the imprint of a heel and is associated with the story of an escape from English soldiers made by the Scottish hero William Wallace.
55°28'52"N • 4°36'13"W
Shred Skatepark
Game and entertainment center • Sport complex • Park
Church
Good Shepherd Cathedral
The Good Shepherd Cathedral in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland was the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway.
55°27'31"N • 4°37'43"W
Burns Statue Square drill hall
The Burns Statue Square drill hall is a military installation in Ayr.
Neighbourhood
Seafield
Seafield is a southern district of Ayr, Scotland. A major landmark in the area is the former Seafield Children's Hospital, which closed in 1991. The area is also home to a large golf course.
55°27'46"N • 4°37'43"W
West Kirk
Church
Campsite
Craig Tara
Craig Tara is a holiday camp located near Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is run by Haven Holidays, who took over and renamed the former Butlin's Ayr camp in 1999.

Things to See and Do in Ayr by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Ayr.

Active

Ayr Racecourse
Ayr
Horse trackGamblingSport venue
Belleisle & Seafield Golf Courses
Ayr
Golf
Shred Skatepark
Ayr
Game and entertainment centerSport complexPark
Somerset Park
Ayr
Sport venueSportArenas and stadiums

Other categories

Museum

Day trips

Ayr – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Ayr, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Turnberry, Culzean Castle (Maybole), Dalgarven Mill Museum (Kilwinning).

12 milesSW
Golf
Turnberry
Turnberry, located on the rugged coast of the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, United Kingdom, is a name that resonates with golf enthusiasts around the globe. Known for its iconic lighthouse and stunning ocean views, Turnberry's Ailsa Course is a jewel in the crown of golf...
9.7 miSW
16th-century castle with deer park
Culzean Castle, Maybole
Culzean Castle, a majestic fortress perched atop the cliffs of Ayrshire, is a quintessential example of Scotland's rich history and architectural grandeur. Constructed in the late 18th century, the castle is a masterpiece of Robert Adam, one of the foremost architects...
15 milesN
Specialty museum, Museum
Dalgarven Mill Museum, Kilwinning
Nestled in the verdant Ayrshire countryside near Kilwinning, the Dalgarven Mill Museum offers visitors a unique glimpse into Scotland's rural and industrial heritage. This charming museum is housed within a restored 17th-century grain mill, which itself is a testament...
28 milesN
Church, Mission, Sacred and religious sites
Paisley Abbey, Paisley
Paisley Abbey stands as a testament to Scotland's rich religious history and architectural heritage, nestled in the heart of the town of Paisley. This grand monastery, originally established in the 12th century, has been a cornerstone of the community for centuries...
28 milesN
Arenas and stadiums, Sport, Football
St Mirren Park, Paisley
St Mirren Park, commonly known as The Simple Digital Arena for sponsorship reasons, is a cornerstone of the Paisley community in Scotland, offering more than just a sporting spectacle. As the home ground of St Mirren Football Club, this modern stadium, which opened its...