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:
- 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.
- Brodick Castle was the ancient seat of the Dukes of Hamilton although a fortress has been on the site since at least the fifth century on account of its strategic position on the Firth of Clyde. The castle is open to the public during the summer, with Brodick Country Park open all year round, from the gardens you can enjoy spectacular views over Brodick Bay to the Ayrshire coast. The country park has over 10 miles of waymarked trails and abundant wildlife, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on leads in the gardens and country park, except the walled garden.
- Craig Tara beach is a long sandy with rocks and the beach is backed by a holiday park. Car parking.
- 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).
- Blackwaterfoot is small village with a harbour overlooking Drumadoon Bay. The beach is a large flat sandy beach and is popular for horse riding.
- Barassie beach is a sandy beach backed by grass areas to the north of Troon Harbour and has views of the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran. The beach is an extension to Troon North Sands. Barassie beach is a popular for watersports including kitesurfing, windsurfing and sailing. Facilities include parking, toilets and grassy areas.
- Doonfoot beach is also known as Greenan beach and is a sandy beach with some rocks. Parking near the beach.
- 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.
- Girvan lifeboat station was established in 1865 and now operates an all-weather lifeboat from Girvan harbour. RNLI shop and station open during the summer and restricted times outside of the summer months.
- 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.
- Brodick is the second-largest village (after Lamlash) on the Isle of Arran overlooking Brodick Bay. Brodick Bay south shore has a narrow band of sand, mixed grass, rock and shingle. The eastern end near the ferry terminal has a small harbor. The west shore of Brodick Bay has an excellent sandy beach and grassy fringe. From the beach you can see Goatfell Arran’s highest peak at 874m (2868ft).
- Dunure beach is a shingle beach on a rocky shoreline, located in the village of Dunure near Maybole on the coast of the Firth of Clyde. Although Dunure beach is mainly shingle, Dunure also has a lovely small harbour and Dunure Castle and park. Facilities include toilets, picnic site, harbour, pub, shop and post office in Dunure.
