| Another must on the island is the
Isle of Arran Distillery in Lochranza, the first legal distillery on the island for 150
years. Moving back to the mainland, on the A737
between Kilwinning and Dalry lies Dalgarven Mill, a water-driven flour mill dating back to
1620. On to Irvine soack up the atmosphere of the historic, cobbled street, the Glasgow
Vennel, where Robert Burns once lived and worked. Make a
splash at the Magnum Centre, one of Europe's biggest and best leisure complexes or learn
some seafaring history at the Scottish Maritime Museum.
Moving on to East Ayrshire where there is plenty evidence of
even more history. The pretty 15th century Dean Castle & Country Park in Kilmarnock
boasts an impresssive collection of medieval arms and armoury.
South of Ayr near Maybole you will find Culzean Castle & Country Park. This stunning
clifftop Castle was designed by Robert Adam and completed in 1792. It also boasts strong
connections with General (later President) Eisenhower and a presentation in his former
rooms explains the part he played in history.
Forty minutes drive from Maybole is Dundonald Castle which
was the ancestral home of the Stewart Kings of Scotland over 600 years ago. The
Ayrshire mainland also boasts some of the strongest connections in Scotland, with the
country's most famous poet, Robert Burns, and the Burns House Museum in Mauchline and the
Burns National Heritage Park in Alloway is just south of Ayr.
South Ayrshire is also home to a numer of outstanding golf
courses including Open Championship courses such as Turnberry, Royal Troon and Old
Prestwick, where the first Open Championship was played in 1860.
With the wide range of visitor attractions and activities
from golf to paragliding, horse racing, to watersports, horse-riding and quad biking.
Fishing is also very popular from freshwater on rivers such as Arran's Machrie and Iorsa
and the mainland's Rivers Ayr and Stinchar to name but a few, to sea fishing from a
charter boat off the coast. Ayrshire & Arran really does have something for everyone,
so whether the pace be leisurely or frantic, take a breath of fresh Ayrshire & Isle of
Arran.
Visit the Ayr & Isle of Arran Tourist Board
Visit Historic Places to Go |
