Ayrshire is in the South West of Scotland and has many miles of scenic coastline steeped in history and home to some famous Open Championship golf courses!
This is the Clyde Coast and it offers travellers superb food, great accommodation and a vast array of outdoor activities topped with ancient castles, busy market towns and rugged countryside. It's ancient history dates back to the Bronze Age.
Tour Dumfries House for an idea of what a stately home in Scotland looks like!
Visitors are attracted by the majestic mountains, the Firth of Clyde and the historic stones. In the Firth of Clyde lies the Isle of Arran better known by locals as 'Mini Scotland' because of its lochs, mountains, hills and stunning coast. Here you'll find lots of places to visit like the local distillery, museums, craft and food markets and castles. Sports are popular here with paragliding or orienteering on offer and Celtic myths and legends to enjoy back in the warmth of your hotel or bed and breakfast.
Why not check beaches nearby as we have 25 beaches in Ayrshire, or have a look at our list of Ayrshire dog friendly beaches, or even our United Kingdom Blue Flag beach list.
Ayrshire Coast Search Bar
Where would you like to go? Use our search bar to search across all our local listings, ideal for finding that nearest spot to visit:
Want some ideas on where to visit?
Every favourite location must be visited for the first time. Want some ideas, why not check out the below small selection of coastal locations, including beaches, activities, things to see and do, places to stay and eat:
- Turnberry beach is a sandy beach which runs north along the coast from the village of Turnberry and alongside Turnberry golf course and hotel to the Turnberry Point lighthouse.To access the beach, its southern end can be reached from the car park in the village of Turnberry, whilst the northern end there is a track across the golf course to the lighthouse and beach from a roadside parking area off the A719.Facilities at the beach include parking, toilets and post office at the southern Turnberry village end.
- The Salt Cot is a Wetherspoon pub in Saltcoats, North Ayrshire. Our pub offers a range of real ales, craft beers and freshly ground Lavazza coffee. Breakfast is served until noon, with our full food menu available until 11 pm.
- Ayr South beach is a large sandy beach between the River Doon to the south and the River Ayr. Facilities include Parking, toilets and food outlets.
- Croy beach also known as Maybole shore,is a long sandy beach with plenty of room for everybody. Popular with windsurfers and land yachters. Car parking available by the beach.
- Prestwick beach is a long sandy beach with views over to Isle of Arran. The beach extends out of Prestwick and is then backed by Prestwick Golf Club, birthplace of the Open Championship. If walking northwards along the beach it is possible to paddle across the Pow burn at low-tide to Troon South Sands.
- Craig Tara beach is a long sandy with rocks and the beach is backed by a holiday park. Car parking.
- Culzean Castle is one of Scotland’s best-known castles and is situated on a clifftop overlooking the South Ayrshire coast near the town of Maybole. The family seat of the Kennedy family since the mid 18th century, who can trace their ancestry back to Robert the Bruce, Culzean sits in a spectacular 600-acre estate and is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. Since 1987 Culzean Castle has also been a fixture as an illustration on the back of all five pound notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland! With something on offer for everyone, the castle and grounds are open to the public from Easter to October. During the winter, the gift shops and restaurant are open at weekends, details at www.culzeanexperience.org
- Brig O’Doon is a late medieval bridge that crosses the River Doon near Alloway. The bridge is a single arched bridge, with a steeply humped span of 72 feet (22 m) and a rise of 26 ft (7.9 m).
- Boydston beach, also known as Ardrossan beach, is a sandy beach with a view across to Arran. Ardrossan has a harbour, shops and multiple options to eat something.
- Newtown beach at Millport on Cumbrae Island is a beach of sand in a sheltered bay harbour and old pier.
- The Pub on Prestwick Holiday Park is open from March to October, Monday to Friday from 4pm, all day Saturday and Sunday. Has a warm welcome and a roaring fire on a cold day. Serving breakfast at the weekend and on a Sunday, a Sunday Roast. What ever the weather there is something for all, be it cocktails, coffee, cold drinks, ice cream, or hot food to sit in or take way. Regular entertainment at the weekend, guest artists, Karaoke, Bingo and charity nights. Adjacent to the Coastal Walking Route 7, on the National Cycle Path Route 7. Set between Royal Troon Golf Course (The 9th Green) and Old Prestwick, where The Open was originally conceived.
- Troon’s North Sands beach is a sandy beach with a large grass area behind. Popular kitesurfing and windsurfing beach along with Troon’s South beach. Facilities include car parking, shops, pub, cafe and toilets.
