Ayrshire, Scotland (UK)

Summer is here dear readers and future travellers. It’s been a scorcher too. Rising temperatures are changing how and where we travel. More of us are visiting in the cooler off-season months; I did this myself by visiting Majorca in October last year. Others are also opting for staycations in our home countries, something the BBC have recently reported on. When the Covid Pandemic subsided and restrictions lifted, I took a trip with my family to visit Ayrshire, Scotland in the Summer of 2021. Ayrshire’s coast is a hidden gem. Whether you’re a Brit fancying a staycation, or an international tourist fancying a Scottish summer, Ayrshire makes for a picturesque destination.

Ayrshire is south of Glasgow and is reachable by car or train. Scotrail run regular services from Glasgow to Ayr, with trains skirting the dramatic coast beyond the county town, all the way down to Stranraer. Here at Stranraer, there are ferries to-and-from Northern Ireland. The nearest airports for tourists visiting from abroad would be Glasgow Prestwick (itself in Ayrshire) and Glasgow International.

I stayed with my family in a holiday cottage at Blairquhan, near the village of Straiton and the town of Maybole. Maybole does have a train station, but a car will be necessary for exploring rural areas. There are many walking trails around here, including up into the hills overlooking the area. The most dramatic is the walk to the Straiton monument, an obelisk that crowns Highgate Hill. It commemorates David Hunter-Blair, an MP and Colonel who was killed in the Crimean War in 1854. His family owned nearby Blairquhan Castle, until 2012 when it was sold to Chinese investors. Built in 1824, the castle is now a wedding and events venue. I could access the stunning grounds from our cottage and visit an arboretum encircling a lake. Walking between the trees, I saw two deer dart across the path in front of me, an unforgettable memory.

Other sites around the area include Loch Doon and Bogton Loch near Dalmellington. At the latter, I took a walk to Dalcairney Falls, a small yet impressive waterfall which cascades into a rocky and mossy basin. The road was very bumpy and rocky on the approach to here so hold on tight!

For smoother but equally scenic roads, drive down the coast past the village of Dunure to the town of Ayr. Ayr's beach is pleasant and popular in the summer months. Ayr was the birthplace of Scotland’s famous poet, Robert Burns. Visitors can view a monument and museum dedicated to the author of the New Year favourite ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and ‘Scots Wha Hae’. Since Burns’ time, Ayr grew thanks to its port which was important for Scotland’s economy during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. As a result, there are many Georgian and Victorian era buildings here, including the 1830 neoclassical town hall.

The wider county of Ayrshire was a key part of Scotland’s industrial heartlands, with coal mining and steel making once thriving industries. The effects of deindustrialisation in the late 20^th century hit Ayrshire hard, like my own home region of North East England. However, tourism and the growth of services are starting to help the area. Ayr’s town centre is also being regenerated.

Nearby Prestwick Airport is of vital importance to both Ayr and indeed Scotland, so much so that the Scottish Government nationalised it in 2014. Prestwick Airport developed thanks to the presence of the Canadian and US air forces who have had a base here since WWII. The Airport is also known as the only place in the UK that Elvis Presley stepped foot on, when he stopped here in 1960 having completed his national service in West Germany. More recently, the United States’ presence in the area has been highlighted due to Donald Trump’s acquisition of the golf course at Turnberry, which attracts as many protesters as golfers. There are public footpaths that lead up to Turnberry lighthouse if you fancy either a stroll or birdwatching. I had to pop in to use the rather glitzy WC facilities at Turnberry lighthouse. I left the toilets at Trump Turnberry for more delightful sights.

Further south along the Ayrshire coast is the small fishing town of Girvan. It is worth a little visit as it has a fine beach. The day I went, it was tremendously windy. My face and hair were so full of sand, I practically became Girvan Beach itself. That aside, Girvan offers the perfect photo opportunity to take pictures of the rocky island of Ailsa Craig which loomed out to sea. Shrouded with clouds, it looked like a villain’s lair or the Black Island from the Tintin comics. Ailsa Craig is also famous for providing most of the world’s supply of curling stones thanks to its abundance of the rare microgranite. With no permanent human settlers, Ailsa Craig is home mainly to resident gannets and puffins due to its role as a bird sanctuary.

Another attractive sight is Culzean Castle. Managed by the Scottish National Trust, Culzean was built in the 18^th century by Robert Adam for the Clan Kennedy (no relation to JFK’s family). For film-buffs, Culzean was used in the classic 1973 horror film ‘The Wicker Man’ as Lord Summerisle’s castle (played by Christopher Lee). Culzean is worth a visit for its beautiful views of the Firth of Clyde, which was almost translucent the day I visited. Other notable sights here include the Castle’s grand staircase, Orangery and grounds featuring deer and friendly llamas. There’s also a walk down to the beach where there are many rockpools that mirror the blue sky, and which give further views of Ailsa Craig in the distance.

The Ayrshire Coast, once an industrialised part of Scotland, offers both a rich history and natural beauty. It was the perfect summer getaway for me thanks to its quiet yet dramatic scenery. The region’s historic castles, towering pine forests and breezy beaches make it a hidden gem that should catch the future traveller’s eye.