Ayrshire & Arran
With its wonderful natural scenery, this region has a lot to offer. Imposing and lush rolling hills, hidden glens, long sandy beaches and quaint villages make this region a paradise for landscape lovers.
With romantic castles, stately homes, enigmatic stone circles Ayrshire and Arran share a rich heritage that is steeped in legend and mythology. As the supposed birthplace of king Robert the Bruce, Ayrshire has enjoyed an illustrious military past, even seeing off a Viking invasion.
Arran boasts its own unique and fascinating history, with archaeological sites linked to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages, Vikings and Gaels.
This part of the west coast of Scotland is undeniably very, very interesting.
Site rating:
Although the featured attractions, sites and landmarks are always chosen by me, I have made a serious effort to differentiate 4 levels:
- (***) This is, for whatever reason, a very personal favourite! Will definitely be on my itinerary! Could possibly be disappointing for someone else though.
- (**) A major must-see tourist attraction that you can find in many a brochure.
- (*) Worth seeing and possibly interesting if you happen to be in the vicinity.
- (-) A hefty dollop of imagination is a must, but it might be interesting if you know the background.
Favorites:
- Battle site of Airds Moss (1680) *** Location: Muirkirk / Plus code: GR5X+9H3 Cumnock
- Crossraguel Abbey *** Location: Maybole / Plus code: 87QH+GPX Maybole
- Dunure Castle *** Location: Dunure / Plus code: C63Q+X8G Ayr
- Galloway Forest Park *** Location: Newton Stewart / Plus code:4GRP+P3X Newton Stewart
- Battle site of Loudoun Hill (1307) *** Location: Darvel / Plus code: JQ7R+P7H Darvel
- Standing Stones of Machrie Moor / Isle of Arran *** Location: Tormore / Isle of Arran / Plus code: GMRQ+77 Isle of Arran
And than there are.....
- Ardstinchar Castle * Location: Ballantrae / Plus code: 32X2+J3V Girvan
- Auchans Castle - Location: Dundonald/ Plus code: H9GQ+WFW Kilmarnock
- Brodick Castle / Isle of Arran ** Location: Brodick / Isle of Arran / Plus code: HRVX+GJX Isle of Arran
- Carleton Castle * Location: Lendalfoot / Plus code: 5379+W4V Girvan
- Crawford Castle * Location: Crawford / Plus code: F8FV+VP Biggar
- Culzean Castle ** Location: Maybole / Plus code: 9636+V73 Maybole
- Dean Castle ** Location: Kilmarnock / Plus code: JGF8+6FV Kilmarnock
- Battle site of Drumclog (1679) ** Location: Drumclog / Plus code: JRJ8+9PM Strathaven
- Dundonald Castle ** Location: Dundonald / Plus code: HCG3+P4H Kilmarnock
- Glengarnock Castle ** Location: Kilbirnie / Plus code: Q8H3+WRR Kilbirnie
- Greenan Castle ** Location: Ayr / Plus code: C8QJ+93W Ayr
- Kilbirnie Castle * Location: Kilbirnie / Plus code: Q72W+949 Kilbirnie
- Battle site of Largs (1263) * Location: Largs / Plus code: Q4HR+G4M Largs
- Loch Doon Castle ** Location: Dalmellington / Plus code: 6JG7+H8J Ayr
- Lochranza Castle / Isle of Arran ** Location: Lochranza / Isle of Arran / Plus code: PP45+5GP Isle of Arran
- Portencross Castle ** Location: Portencross / Plus code: M3XW+P3C West Kilbride
- St Bride´s Church ** Location: Douglas / Plus code: H553+96F Lanark