Photo of body of water near green mountain under blue sky during daytime.

Photo carina. m / Unsplash

Places to explore in South AyrshireScotland · Southern Scotland

The Ayrshire coast faces the Firth of Clyde and the granite dome of Ailsa Craig across the water, its links turf and long sands broken by ruined castles on the cliffs. Robert Burns was born in Alloway in 1759, and much of his verse is rooted in this ground. Crossraguel Abbey kept Cluniac monks near Maybole, while Dundonald Castle crowns its hill inland and Dunure Castle clings to the shore. Cars appear to roll uphill at the Electric Brae, and the sands run wide at Troon.

The best of South Ayrshireworth the trip

Photo of Ailsa Craig, an island in South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Ailsa Craig

Granite dome that supplies curling stones, an RSPB reserve with a huge gannet colony and a steep path to the summit

0.95 km² · South Ayrshire

Photo of Culzean Castle and Country Park, a garden near Maidens, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Culzean Castle and Country Park

Garden near Maidens

Robert Adam clifftop mansion set in a 260-hectare country park of walled gardens, woodland and shore on the Ayrshire coast.

Photo of Ayr Beach, a beach near Alloway, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Ayr Beach

Beach near Alloway

Broad sandy town beach backed by a long esplanade, the heart of the Ayrshire seaside.

Photo: Electric Brae, a viewpoint near Dunure, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Electric Brae

Viewpoint near Dunure

Famous gravity-hill optical illusion on the A719 near Croy where a car appears to roll uphill.

Photo of Girvan Beach, a beach near Barr, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Girvan Beach

Beach near Barr

Long sandy South Ayrshire beach and promenade looking out to Ailsa Craig.

Photo of Troon South Beach, a beach near Dundonald, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Troon South Beach

Beach near Dundonald

Wide golden beach and dunes at Troon with views to Arran and the Royal Troon links behind.

Photo of Croy Shore, a beach near Dunure, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Croy Shore

Beach near Dunure

Rural sandy beach with rocky outcrops between Maidens and Dunure, with views to Culzean and Ailsa Craig.

Photo of Alloway, a village in South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Alloway

Leafy conservation village on the southern edge of Ayr, birthplace of Robert Burns and the heart of Burns country.

South Ayrshire

Photo of Dunure Harbour, a visitor attraction in South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Dunure Harbour

Attraction near Dunure

Picturesque little fishing harbour beneath ruined Dunure Castle, an Outlander filming location.

Photo of Glenapp Castle, a restaurant near Ballantrae, South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Glenapp Castle

Restaurant · With rooms near Ballantrae

A baronial castle hotel in gardens above the Ayrshire coast with views to Ailsa Craig.

Photo of Dunure Castle, a ruined castle in South Ayrshire, southern Scotland.

Dunure Castle

Castle near Dunure

Cliff-edge ruin on the Ayrshire coast.

Beaches & swimming in South Ayrshire 4

Other sights in South Ayrshire 4

Castles & strongholds in South Ayrshire 14

Villages & towns in South Ayrshire 9

Pubs & restaurants in South Ayrshire 3

Houses & gardens in South Ayrshire 1

Culzean Castle and Country Park

Islands in South Ayrshire 1

Ailsa Craig0.95 km²

Hills & peaks in South Ayrshire 6

Ancient stones in South Ayrshire 2

Ballmallochstanding
Bencallen Hillstanding

Churches in South Ayrshire 2

Trails in South Ayrshire 2

Ayrshire Coastal Path161 km
River Ayr Way66 km

Abbeys & priories in South Ayrshire 1

Crossraguel Abbeyruin