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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! Play on some of the best
golf courses
in Scotland along with the world famous Open Championship courses of Royal
Troon and Turnberry. Scotland's premier horse racing centre, Ayr Racecourse, is
based in Ayr and offers more racing days than any other Scottish course including
the Scottish Grand National and Ayr Gold Cup.
Given its coastal location, there are also plenty of opportunities to take to the
water for fun. Troon's bustling harbour is a magnet for sightseers and yachting
enthusiasts who can enjoy the first-class facilities of the Troon Yacht Haven, one
of the Clyde's leading sailing centres. The world's last sea-going paddle steamer
PS Waverley which takes cruisers on trips down the Firth of Clyde during the summer
from Ayr.
Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, was born in a cley biggin in Alloway, on
the outskirts of Ayr in 1759. This cottage is the centrepiece of the Burns National
Heritage Park that includes the Burns Monument, Brig O'Doon and the spooky Alloway
Kirk.