Ayr is a genteel and prosperous town on the coast of SW Scotland

The River Ayr (pronounced like air, Uisge Àir in Gaelic) This is the longest river in the county of Ayrshire measuring 65 km (40 miles)

Introduction

This evening, I am posting information on the town of Ayr in S.W.Scotland. In essence, a genteel spot with a mild climate and popular with retirees.

Key facts and information concerning Ayr-Section 1

Population is about 47,000.

Located about 1 hour SSW of Glasgow on coast with extensive sandy beach and mild climate.Good road and rail access with Prestwick Airport just four miles away.

Named after the River Ayr which flows through the town.

Closely connected with Scotland’s National Poet, Robert Burns who was born a few miles away at Alloway. There is a Tam O’Shanter pub (named after a Burns’ poem). Burns wrote ‘Brigs of Ayr’ after Ayr’s numerous bridges.

Scottish hero, William Wallace aka ‘Braveheart’ is remembered via various statues and a Wallace Tower.

A mixed selection of architecture ranging from the medieval St, John’s Tower and Loudoun Hall through 19th c Carnegie Library to 20th century Art Deco.

In proximity to famous golf courses such as Western Gailes, Royal Troon, Prestwick and Trump Turnberry.

Close to Culzean Castle, Dundonald Castle and Dunure Castle.

Renowned for its famous sandy beach which has been awarded a Seaside Award from Keep Scotland Beautiful.

Robert Burns Statue (Located in Burns Statue Square, Ayr, commemorating the great Scottish poet Robert Burns.)

Tam O’Shanter Inn. (It was from this pub that Robert Burns’ friend Douglas Graham, who was the inspiration for ‘Tam O’Shanter’, Burns’ most famous poem, left that fateful night. The poem describes Tam’s homeward journey, after a long evening at the Inn, and the terrible visions he witnesses. Riding his grey mare, Meg, Tam comes across a coven of witches, warlocks and the Devil himself at the ruined church of Kirk Alloway. Knowing that witches can’t cross water, he heads for the Brig o’ Doon. Unfortunately, though Tam does escape, one of the witches grabs Meg’s tail and pulls it off, and Burns ends his tale with this warning for drinkers:

“Whene’er to Drink you are inclin’d,
Or Cutty-sarks rin in your mind,
Think ye may buy the joys o’er dear;
Remember Tam o’ Shanter’s mare.“)

Key facts and information concerning Ayr-Section 2

High street with Wallace Tower in distance.(The present Wallace Tower was built in 1832 on the site of an earlier building of the same name. It is uncertain how the latter came by its name as it is invariably called the Auld Tower in the Town Records.)

Loudoun Hall (Stone townhouse dating to the early 16th century, now used by local groups for meetings & events.

Art Deco Orient Cinema Building. (Designed by Albert Gardner and opened in 1932. The Orient was designed in the ‘atmospheric’ manner, with a Moorish inspired tower as the focal point of the facade.)

Mercat Cross (The Malt Cross-Mercat Cross was built in 1662 on the site of an earlier cross. It was modelled on the market cross of Edinburgh.)

Ayr Town Hall Spire. (Part of impressive building of the 1820’s with the 225 ft spire a prominent Ayr landmark.)

Key facts and information concerning Ayr-Section 3

St. John’s Tower (Sole remaining portion of the former grand, medieval-era St. John the Baptist’s Church.)

Royal Scots Fusiliers Memorial, World War 2.

Ayr Pavilion (Former music venue and dance hall)

Bridges of Ayr, Scotland

Ayr Beach. (This splendid, sandy beach stretches south for almost two miles from the town of Ayr. The northern end, with its esplanade and Low Green – a huge expanse of grass, is the most popular.)

Video clip of Ayr Pipe Band at Alloway.

More information

For more information on Ayr, Robert Burns, Scottish culture and many other aspects of Scotland please refer Visitors’ Guide to Scotland, ISBN 978-1-9161332-0-4.

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