The Coastal Towns of Ayrshire are located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde and the towns and villages located inland are set within some of Scotland's most green and fertile landscapes. Ayrshire's principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the last seven years and eight times in total.

Ayrshire shares with Dumfries and Galloway some wonderful rugged hill country known as the Galloway Hills. These hills lie to the west of the A713 (Ayr to Castle Douglas road) and they run south from the Loch Doon area almost to the Solway Firth. To the east of this route through the hills lie the Carsphairn and Scaur Hills which lie to the south east of Dalmellington and south of New Cumnock. Glen Afton runs deep into these hills.

Ayrshire became part of the kingdom of Scotland during the 11th century. In 1263, the Scots successfully drove off of the Norwegian leidang-army in a skirmish known as the Battle of Largs.

Discover and Explore...

Visitors to Ayrshire & Arran will want to stay a little longer (regardless of how long your  holiday is !) and will be sure to return again. The stunning scenery, superior golf courses, walking, sailing, surfing and fishing activities are complemented by some of the best indoor activities on offer in Scotland, with first class museums, galleries and castles to discover and explore. Then there is Ayrshire and Arran's natural larder; gourmet food and excellent hospitality from B&B's to 5-Star Hotels - its all here to suit every taste and budget.

Ayrshire falls under 3 council areas; South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and North Ayrshire, and North Ayrshire includes the Isle of Arran, Great Cumbrae and Little Cumbrae.  Within our website, we have included Ayrshire as a whole, as it does not matter much to the visitor which Council runs which area - as long as you are having a good time!

Download the hard copy Explore Ayrshire and Arran to view maps!