Ayrshire & The Firth of Clyde
Ayrshire Coast
About
Ayrshire Coast
The Ayrshire coast stretches for over 80 miles along the Firth of Clyde from Skelmorlie in the north to the Mull of Galloway in the south — a varied and beautiful shoreline of sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, whitewashed fishing villages, and sweeping views across the water to the Isle of Arran and, on clear days, to the mountains of the Kintyre peninsula and Northern Ireland. The rocky volcanic plug of Ailsa Craig dominates the southern views, rising 338 metres sheer from the sea like a great natural cathedral. This is Robert Burns country — the poet was born in Alloway near Ayr in 1759, and the landscape of the Ayrshire coast inspired much of his greatest work. It is also golf country: the links at Turnberry, Royal Troon, Prestwick, and Western Gailes are among the finest in the world. Beyond golf and Burns, the coast offers Culzean Castle on its spectacular clifftop, the harbour towns of Ayr, Troon, and Girvan, and the extraordinary volcanic island of Ailsa Craig.
Things to see & do
FAQs
The Ayrshire coast is known for three things: Robert Burns, born in Alloway in 1759; world-class links golf at Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick; and the coastal scenery of the Firth of Clyde, framed by the Isle of Arran and the volcanic plug of Ailsa Craig. Add Culzean Castle on its clifftop, the sandy beaches of Ayr and Troon, and the harbour towns of Girvan and Largs.
Ailsa Craig is a volcanic rock island rising 338 metres sheer from the Firth of Clyde, about 10 miles off the coast near Girvan. It's known for its gannet colony, the third largest in the UK, and as the source of the granite used for most of the world's curling stones. Its profile is visible from miles of the Ayrshire coast, and boat trips from Girvan harbour visit in season.
The Ayrshire coast begins around 25 miles south-west of Glasgow. Largs is about 35 minutes by car and Ayr around an hour. The A77 and A78 run the length of the coast, and trains from Glasgow Central serve Ayr, Troon and Girvan. Hopscotch's Ayrshire day tours depart from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Golf runs deep here. Trump Turnberry's Ailsa Course has hosted the Open four times, Royal Troon ten, and Prestwick staged the first twelve Championships. Western Gailes and Dundonald Links are outstanding too. Your Hopscotch guide can build in a round, or simply drive the links coastline if you'd rather just see these famous courses.
Book a private tour and explore
Ayrshire Coast
with a local expert guide.
Start Planning Your Scotland Adventure
Please contact us if you’d like to customise an existing tour or if you want to create a bespoke tour specifically for you and your group.
Our expert team of advisors are here to help.
.avif)
