Ayrshire & Arran

Isle of 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

And than there are.....