Top 10 things to do in Ayrshire
Ayrshire is the Burns country, with a long coast, grand castles, golf courses and views to Arran. It is easy to reach from Glasgow.
- 1
Culzean Castle and Country Park
📍 Near MayboleCastle, coastA clifftop castle with gardens and a country park, with Eisenhower connections.
- 2
Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
📍 Alloway, AyrLiterary, historyThe village and cottage where the poet was born, with a museum.
- 3
Dunure Castle
📍 DunureHistory, ruinsA ruined clifftop castle on the coast.
- 4
Dean Castle Country Park
📍 KilmarnockCastle, familiesA medieval castle in a park with woodland and a play area.
- 5
Largs and the Cumbrae ferry
📍 LargsSeaside, islandsA seaside town with ice cream and a short ferry to Millport.
- 6
Isle of Arran
📍 ArranIsland, sceneryA small island with castles, a distillery and good walking. Reached by ferry from Ardrossan.
- 7
Brodick Castle
📍 Isle of ArranCastle, gardensA castle on Arran with gardens and woodland.
- 8
Souter Johnnie’s Cottage
📍 KirkoswaldLiterary, historyThe cottage of the village cobbler who was the model for a character in Burns’s poem Tam o’ Shanter.
- 9
Bachelors’ Club
📍 TarboltonLiterary, historyA small 17th-century house where Robert Burns and friends held a debating society.
- 10
Ayr Beach
📍 AyrSeasideA long sandy beach and promenade at Ayr.
Where to base yourself
Last checked: October 2026.