South Ayrshire Council

About South Ayrshire

South Ayrshire is home to a population of 112,097 (2001 census) and is set in the south west of Scotland. The council headquarters, located at the County Buildings in Wellington Square, Ayr, were built in 1931 and opened by King George VI.

The area includes the towns of Ayr, Prestwick, Troon, Maybole and Girvan. A large rural area of 422 square miles (1,222 square km) extends from Troon and Symington in the north to Ballantrae and Loch Ryan in the south.

South Ayrshire is an ideal base for family holidays. Long stretches of sandy beach, superb sports and recreational facilities and entertainment have helped make Ayr one of Britain's premier coastal resorts. Troon is also a popular holiday resort with its soft sandy award-winning beach overlooking the Isle of Arran. The towns esplanade offers various facilities for families including crazy golf and putting. Girvan is proud of its reputation for floral attractions and colourful displays which are situated in many parts of the town and include the Rose Gardens, Knockcushan Gardens and Orchard Gardens. The town is also a good base for exploring on foot or by bike the Carrick Forest and the many picturesque villages of the surrounding Carrick area.

Culture and Leisure

From Burns Cottage to Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire is full of history and culture. The leisure is not too bad either! There are a lot of golf courses along with the world famous Royal Troon and Turnberry. Scotland's top horse racing centre, Ayr Racecourse, is based in Ayr and offers more racing days than any other Scottish course. Given its coastal location, there are also plenty of opportunities to take to the water for fun. Troons bustling harbour is a magnet for anglers, sightseers and yachting enthusiasts who can enjoy the first-class facilities of the Troon Yacht Haven, one of the Clyde's leading sailing centres. Sea-angling trips operate from Ayr as does the world's last sea-going paddle steamer PS Waverley which takes cruisers on trips down the Firth of Clyde during the summer.

The area also has important connections with Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, who was born in Alloway, close to Ayr. The villages various locations associated with the poet include the Burns National Heritage Park including the poet's birthplace, Burns Cottage, Brig O'Doon and the spooky Alloway Kirk.

It's easy to get here. The excellent air, road, rail and sea links make South Ayrshire an ideal place to visit.