Ayr

About Ayr

The Royal Burgh of Ayr in the south-west of Scotland is situated on the Firth of Clyde and is the largest coastal town in South Ayrshire.

This famous county town offers excellent shopping facilities and counts branches of the main multiple stores alongside a wide range of interesting individually owned shops. Add a selection of bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, many serving local produce and Ayr Town Centre has everything you need for a great day out.

Energetic visitors can choose from a range of outdoor sports including tennis, bowling and golf, whilst the town's Citadel Leisure Centre, situated at Ayr Harbour, is a first class venue for indoor activities including swimming and keep fit.

Ayr boasts three public golf courses – Belleisle, arguably the finest public parkland course in the United Kingdom; Seafield, located in the magnificent grounds of Belleisle, offers a classic combination of links and parkland course; and Dalmilling, set between Ayr's famous racecourse and the A77, plays over open parkland. Play on some of the best golf courses in Scotland.

A stroll around one of Ayr's beautifully kept parks and gardens which include Belleisle, Rozelle and Craigie or an exhilarating walk along the seafront promenade provide a more leisurely experience.

Scotland's National Bard, Robert Burns, was born in Alloway, on the southern outskirts of Ayr. A visit to the Burns National Heritage Park is a must to see the poet's birthplace, Burns Cottage, the Burns Monument, Brig O'Doon and Alloway Kirk. Work is underway on the new Robert Burns Birthplace Museum which should be complete in 2010.

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.

Ayr United Football Club is South Ayrshire's senior football club. Known as the Honest Men - from Robert Burns famous poem Tam O'Shanter. Their home ground, Somerset Park, is located at Somerset Road, Ayr.

Ayr was awarded Fairtrade Town Status on 26 February 2007. Local businesses, retailers, caterers, organisations and schools in Ayr are providing Fairtrade products.

Discover more about Ayr and its surroundings, visit our local events. To find more about doing business in Ayr visit our Business section. To come and work for South Ayrshire Council, view the Council vacancies.