WELCOME TO GNWS TRAVEL GUIDE FOR SCOTLAND

DISCOVER AYRSHIRE & ARRAN

• Easy to reach and great to explore, Ayrshire & Arran sits on the West Coast of Scotland with its marvellous island life, countryside towns and expansive sandy shores. Take a short ferry ride across the Firth of Clyde and you can explore Arran and Cumbrae. Experience idyllic island life, which is full of delicious food and drink, exciting outdoor activities and awe inspiring scenery.
  
  Situated in the south west coast of Scotland, Ayrshire and Arran is steeped in ancient history, encompassing an enchanting array of beautifully restored castles, immaculate gardens and country parks and heritage sites at the doorstep of Ayr, the main county town. Whether you are seeking a relaxing weekend away or a more adventurous jaunt, Ayrshire and Arran is an idyllic destination for exploring Scotland’s South West before hopping across to Ireland, with fast ferry services to Belfast from Troon. The ferry port of Troon in Scotland is your gateway to Northern Ireland with the Troon to Larne ferry crossing running about 14 times per week. The sailing itself is from around 2 hours 15 minutes.
  
  Ayr beach is fantastic all year round, with light golden sands it is a place of fun and sun in the summer months and great for picnics and chidrens' activities. Popular with locals and tourists alike, it is also invigorating in spring, autumn and winter. One of the best beaches in Scotland, Ayr Beach has been awarded a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful. Other activities in the area include birdwatching, fishing at the harbour area, or you could take a boat trip and fish for skate, haddock and cod.
  
  Golfing Aficionados are treated to an exuberant array of over 40 premiere golf courses with Open Championship courses at Turnberry and Troon, each offering spectacular panoramic vistas overlooking the Clyde Coast and Ailsa Craig -a rocky outcrop in the Firth of Clyde marking the beginning of Irish Sea.
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  Whether you have an inclination for fishing and sailing, various boating and sea angling excursions are on offer from Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Irvine, Largs amongst other coastal towns in Ayrshire. Equally, The Scottish Grand National and other race meetings certainly offer a fun day out at Ayr Race Course, dating from as far back as the 16th Century and attracting thousands of visitors from across the UK, The Irish Sea and beyond.
  
  This is the place that gave us our National Bard, Robert Burns. Celebrated the world over with the annual Burns Night, explore the great Burns attractions - The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum offers a truly endearing insight into Scotland's favourite son. Housing the world's most important collection of his original works and personal artefacts, in a modern building, the museum has a lovely cafe and shop with a wide selection of gifts and souvenirs.
  
  Take a wander around one of the ancient castles, or learn about the Vikings who once visited these very shores. Sample the whisky and see how it's made.
  
  Ayrshire & Arran is easy to reach from most of Scotland's big cities. Glasgow is only half an hour's drive away. You can take the coach or train from lots of main cities in the UK, or drive along the main motorways. In summer, a ferry operates from Campbeltown in Argyll to Ardrossan.
  
  Once you get here, you can cycle or walk along main routes and paths, use the local bus service, hire or bring a car, and catch the ferry out to Arran in under an hour, and Cumbrae in just 10 minutes.