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.
My very personal selection:
Location: Muirkirk / Plus code: GR5X+9H3 Cumnock
Location: Ballantrae / Plus code: 32X2+J3V Girvan
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
Crossraguel Abbey
Location: Maybole / Plus code: 87QH+GPX Maybole
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
Dunure Castle
Location: Dunure / Plus code: C63Q+X8G Ayr
Galloway Forest Park
Location: Plus code: 4GRP+P3X Newton Stewart
Glengarnock Castle
Location: Kilbirnie / Plus code: Q8H3+WRR Kilbirnie
Greenan Castle
Location: Ayr / Plus code: C8QJ+93W Ayr
Kerelaw Castle
Location: Stevenson / Plus code: J6XX+922 Stevenston
Kilbirnie Castle
Location:Kilbirnie / Plus code: Q72W+949 Kilbirnie
Kildonan Castle / Isle of Arran
Location: Kildonan / Isle of Arran / Plus code: CVVV+37F Isle of Arran
Kingencleugh Castle
Location: Mauchline / Plus code: P8C2+HV3 Dalry
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
Battle site of Loudoun Hill (1307)
Location: Darvel / Plus code: JQ7R+P7H Darvel
Portencross Castle
Location: Portencross / Plus code: M3XW+P3C West Kilbride
Scottish Maritime Museum
Location: Irvine / Plus code: J85F+R8R Irvine
St Bride´s Church
Location: Douglas / Plus code: H553+96F Lanark
Standing Stones of Machrie Moor / Isle of Arran
Location: Tormore / Isle of Arran / Plus code: GMRQ+77 Isle of Arran