Overview of the Holiday Destination of Ayr, Ayrshire

Ayr is a very pretty port town on the Ayr River at the Firth of
Clyde in Ayrshire, southwestern Scotland. It has a history dating back
to the 1200s, is the home of the famous poet, Robert Burns' and boasts
various sporting facilities - specifically horse racing - making this
city with a population of only 46,000 an ideal holiday destination for
lovers of history, culture and sport - and, of course, the wonderful
Scottish beaches, nature and idyllic landscapes.Ayr is very easy to
get to - Glasgow's Prestwick International Airport is just 4 miles
from the centre of Ayr, with regular train connections between the
two. The three main roads leading to the town are the A79, from
Prestwick and the airport; the A77 from Glasgow and the A70 from
Edinburgh.There are numerous and regular rail services linking Ayr
with Glasgow, Stranraer, Kilmarnock and Newcastle, as well as smaller
towns in the area.Stagecoach West Scotland runs bus services within
the town and to destinations further afield; and there is an express
coach service to and from Glasgow every 30 -60 minutes.Ayr's greatest
claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of Robert Burns, the great
Scottish romantic poet who wrote 'Auld Lang Syne' - which everyone
sings on New Year's Eve. The house in which he was born is in Alloway,
a short 20 minute stroll from Ayr city centre, which is now a museum
and houses the Burns Library and the new multi-media Burns Centre; and
the ruins of the church where Burns' famous poem 'Tam O'Shanter' is
set.Ayr is also famous for many horse racing events, such as the the
Scottish Grand National horse race which is held annually in April,
the National Hunt and, in September, the Ayr Gold Cup festival, as
well as many other flat racing events. Not surprising, as the city has
a racecourse which dates back to 1770.Being a historic city, there is
a wealth of sites to visit and explore, such as The Town Hall, Loudoun
Hall and St John's Tower. The much-visited Culzean Castle has a
country park and beautiful coastal views; the ruins of Crossraguel
Abbey, Turnberry Lighthouse and Maybole Castle.Downtown Ayr is a
modern city which has a Victorian centre, surrounded by parks and a
vibrant shopping area. The Fort District is the old part of the city,
and is named because the fort was built by Oliver Cromwell's forces
after the Civil War of the 17th century. This area near the harbor now
features restaurants, pubs and theatres.It is best to visit Ayr
between May and September, which have the mildest weather. High season
is June to August because of the best weather and very long days, but
May and September offer good weather but sometimes erratic weather,
but with less tourist traffic. Note that many attractions close for
the winter months.As with all tourist environments, there is a
plethora of accommodation available, from simple hotel guest houses
and bed and breakfasts to bed and breakfasts with 5 star ratings, such
as the Crescent Bed and Breakfast; camping sites and touring caravan
parks - a good 5 star example is the Sundrum Castle Holiday Park,
which has a swimming pool, bars and restaurants, nightly entertainment
and a children's club. It is set in parkland and is close to historic
castles and a beach. It is even possible to rent the most modern
caravans with central heating and double glazing at these camp sites
as an alternative to a hotel. Self-catering options are available, for
example Sand Cottage - a modern single story cottage on the beach with
wonderful views towards the Isle of Arran and Culzean Castle, which
sleeps up to 6 people. All these options depend on one's budget and
preferences.The very best restaurant in Ayr is the Jockey Club
Restaurant which was awarded two AA Rosettes, recognising the
restaurant's innovative menu, the technical skill and consistency of
the chef, and good judgment in combining and balancing ingredients.
One does not need to be a member of the Jockey Club to eat there and
it is open for from lunch and later for light suppers and dinner. The
Lounge Bar offers main courses for as little as �7.95.Ayr is home to a
host of bars, pubs, bistros and restaurants to suit everyone's taste,
from Italian to Chinese and beyond.Ayr is clearly a holiday
destination for one and all, from young to old, and from sedentary to
active - there is definitely something for everyone.