Things to do in Scotland

Ayr-SouthWest Scotland

Introduction

Ayr is the largest town in Ayrshire, centrally placed on the Ayrshire Coast but perhaps best known for its Ayr Racecourse; Scotland’s premier horse racing circuit and home to the Coral Scottish Grand National held annually in April. All year round Scotland horse racing is on the menu here at Ayr Racecourse, with other key events including the Totesport Gold Cup Festival in September and rock concerts during the festival period. Putting aside the horse racing, Ayr is also famous for the Burns Heritage Trail, a fascinaiting journey taking you to the historical landmarks of the famous poet.

Ayr makes a rather good central holiday base, especially if the weather’s good! Most commonly promoted as a beach holiday resort, Ayr’s promenade offers some good family holiday entertainment notably Pirate Peters Activity Centre, which is a nice treat for the children after hauling them round the Burns Heritage Trail.

Within Ayr town you’ll find a wide choice of restaurants, cafes, more shops and a huge number of pubs; Ayr can be lively at the weekend!. Newer Pubs include Suburbia situated on the High Street, or check out the historic thatched Tam O’Shanter pub also located on the High Street. This is thought to be the old tavern in Ayr where Tam (in Burns’ poem) sups his ale and enjoys the attention of the Landlords wife before getting into trouble.

Accommodation

A warm and friendly welcome will await your at the Daviot Guest House, an early Victorian terraced home which has much character and charm. Just a minutes’ walk from the town centre, this is the ideal place to stay for those who wish to enjoy a relaxing stay yet close to the many restaurants, shops and bars. Ayr’s popular seafront is also only a walk away.

One of the double rooms at the Daviot Guesthouse

Or

Ayrs & Graces B&B, a luxurious and rural 4 star bed and breakfast in the Ayrshire countryside, offering superior accommodation in a romantic setting close to the historic village of Alloway and the seaside town of Ayr with its pleasant harbour and sandy beaches.  One of the properties highlights is the 40 foot balcony on which you can enjoy breakfast whilst admiring the surrounding countryside, local wildlife and animals.

Ayrs & Graces Luxury B&B

Friday Evening

Drop the bags off, boil the kettle and sit back and relax- you have arrived. Your weekend starts here and what better way to kick it off than to head into town for a relaxing evening and some fine dining. Ayrshire offers a selection of mouth watering restaurants wich are sure to grab your attention. One option is the Foutes Restaurant in Ayr, although you won’t be short of options if you take a trip in to any of Ayrshire’s towns.

Foutes Restaurant is a delightful cosy basement restaurant in Ayr which is all about exciting food, quality wine and a great atmosphere. Foutes is tucked away in the heart of Ayr, set in a distinctive location- an 18th Century bank vault that has been transformed into a bustling basement restaurant. If you’re looking for an intimate yet lively atmosphere then this is the place for you.

After enjoying what’s sure to have been a fine culinary experience, head back to your accommodation or head to one of the nearby bars for a night cap.

Saturday

It’s up early and to the coast for a boat trip to the nearby island of Arran. Here you will be able to enjoy a number of activities including Walking, Pony trekking, Hawk handling, Castle tours and Golfing. So depending on what interests you, you can plan your day from there. One must see attraction is Brodrick Castle, which has over 600 years worth of tales oozing from its ancient walls and artefacts. Broderick Castle is unique in its own right for being the only island country park in Britain. With its backdrop of mountain peaks, its terraced lawns and luxuriant gardens, Brodick Castle is the very image of a Victorian ‘Highland’ estate.

Walkers on Arran are spoilt for choice with a selection of mountainous, woodland and coastal walks on offer. One point that you will notice is that from wherever you are on the island the 874 metre peak of Goat Fell is always present, the perfect snap shot to remember your weekend break. If you’re after a more leisurely stroll then not to worry as Arran offers a selection of picturesque villages awaiting your attention.

If long walks aren’t your forte, then how about enjoying some horse or pony trekking? There are a number of horse riding centres spread out across the island where you will be able to take part in either 1 hour or 2 hour treks with prices starting around £15. All standards of rider are catered for from experienced to novice. It should be noted that advanced bookings are recommended for any of the Trekking centres.

Before leaving the island be sure to take a visit to the Arran Heritage Museum, here you will find the archives, archaeology, geology and genealogy concerning the Isle of Arran which has an array of archived exhibits. While you’re here it’s definitely worth sitting down for a spot of lunch while admiring the beautiful views of the nearby river.

Whatever you decide, you’re sure to have a great experience visiting the Island of Arran. After catching the boat back to the mainland, head back to your accommodation for a relaxing soak in the bath before getting ready for an evening of fabulous cuisine.

Saturday evening

There are numerous quality restaurants in Ayrshire which are sure to build up your appetite but one to look out for is Cecchinis Restaurant. The menu is sure to excite with a mouth-watering European theme hosting a number of delectable dishes creatively prepared by top chefs. It should however be said that the Tuscan specialities take centre place with unique dishes prepared with fresh ingredients based on traditional recipes brought over from Barga, Tuscany. Sit back and enjoy the best Italian cooking at this comfortable and contemporary restaurant.

Alternatively, head into one of the nearby towns and see what catches your eye on the night.

Sunday

Ayr Racecourse prides itself as being the premier racecourse in Scotland. It is a very impressive racecourse which plays host to numerous horse racing and jumping events. Stunning facilities and entertainment at affordable prices make Ayr Racecourse a must visit attraction and the perfect way to finish off a great weekend in Ayrshire.

Tags: Ayrshire, Holidays & Weekend Breaks in Scotland, romantic

This entry was posted on Monday, March 29th, 2010 at 3:22 pm and is filed under Couples Budget, Couples Luxury, Families Budget, Holidays & Weekend Breaks in Scotland. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.