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:
- Craig Tara beach is a long sandy with rocks and the beach is backed by a holiday park.Car parking.
- At the Burns Cottage Museum, you will be able to see where Burns and his family lived along with their farm animals.
- 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).
- Blackwaterfoot is small village with a harbour overlooking Drumadoon Bay. The beach is a large flat sandy beach and is popular for horse riding.
- 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.
- Maidens Turnberry beach is thought to be named from The Maidens of Turnberry, a series of rocks in Maidenhead Bay which have became an extension to Maidens harbour wall. This is a sandy beach that curves in the bay northwards away from the harbour and village of Maidens.
- 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).
- 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.
- Troon’s South Sands beach is a long and wide sandy beach with a promenade and some grass areas behind. Popular kitesurfing and windsurfing beach along with Troon’s North beach. Facilities include car parking, shops, pub, cafe, toilets, and promenade. As you head south on the beach the houses end and you are backed by the Royal Troon Golf Club. Founded in 1878 with just 5 holes, and extended to become an 18 hole course in 1886, and it first held the Open Championship in 1923.
- Newtown beach at Millport on Cumbrae Island is a beach of sand in a sheltered bay harbour and old pier.
- 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.
- Girvan beach is a mile long wide sandy beach backed by large grass areas, with the beach stretching away from the harbour pier and it is just a short stroll into the town. The is one of the most popular beaches in Ayrshire and has the facilities you would expect in and around Girvan itself. There are options to park at the northern pier end or the southern end, although the south has a cafe and toilets more facilities exist at the northern end and this is the main used stretch.
