Ayrshire · Town
Ayr
A traditional west-coast town with beach, river and strong links to Robert Burns country.
Explore Ayr →Long beaches, castle country and an island that feels like Scotland in miniature
Explore Ayr, Troon and the Clyde coast, follow Robert Burns country around Alloway, discover Culzean Castle, then cross to Arran for mountains, villages and sea views.
Coast to island countryBeaches, castles, golf towns and one remarkable island journeyAyrshire & Arran works beautifully as two linked experiences: the mainland coast and the island.
Explore Ayrshire & Arran
Choose somewhere to begin
Use the map to explore Ayrshire's coast and heritage, then cross the Clyde towards Arran's villages and mountain landscape.
Featured places
Where to go in Ayrshire & Arran
Treat mainland Ayrshire and Arran as separate day plans unless you are staying longer.
Burns Country · Heritage
Alloway
The village most closely associated with Robert Burns, with historic sites and riverside scenery.
Explore Alloway →South Ayrshire · Heritage
Culzean Castle
A dramatic clifftop castle and estate overlooking the Firth of Clyde.
Explore Culzean Castle →Ayrshire Coast · Town
Troon
A seaside and golf town with broad beaches and views across the Clyde.
Explore Troon →Clyde Coast · Town
Largs
A lively waterfront town and useful stepping-off point for island and coastal trips.
Explore Largs →Arran · Village
Brodick
Arran's principal ferry village, backed by mountains and close to Brodick Castle.
Explore Brodick →Arran · Landscape
Goat Fell
Arran's highest mountain and one of the island's defining landscapes.
Explore Goat Fell →Arran · Village
Lochranza
A quiet northern Arran village around a sea loch, with castle ruins and mountain scenery.
Explore Lochranza →Arran · Heritage
Machrie Moor
A remarkable prehistoric landscape of standing stones and stone circles on western Arran.
Explore Machrie Moor →Choose your kind of day
What is Ayrshire & Arran best for?
Ayrshire sands & Clyde viewsCoast & Beaches
Poetry, heritage & AllowayBurns Country
Mountains, glens & sea lochsArran Landscapes
Culzean, Brodick & ancient sitesCastles & History
Easy combinations
Places that work well together
Ayrshire is easy to combine by road; Arran deserves its own slower day or overnight stay.
Ayr, Alloway & Culzean
A strong south-Ayrshire heritage route.
- Ayr for coast and town
- Alloway for Burns heritage
- Culzean for castle and estate
Troon, Irvine & Largs
A relaxed north-coast day.
- Troon for beach and golf heritage
- Irvine for harbour history
- Largs for the Clyde waterfront
Brodick, Goat Fell & Lochranza
A classic Arran introduction.
- Brodick for arrival and base
- Goat Fell for mountain scenery
- Lochranza for a quieter northern finish
Keep the mainland and island days distinct
Ayrshire's coast is straightforward to explore, while Arran works best when ferry time and island roads are allowed to set the pace.
For a dayChoose mainland Ayrshire or Arran.
For a weekendCombine a coast day with an island stay.
By railUseful for Ayr, Troon and parts of the Clyde coast.
By ferryCheck sailing arrangements before building an Arran day.
When you know where you are going
Stay · Do · Explore
Choose mainland coast or island first, then build around it.
Keep exploring
Continue towards Glasgow, Argyll or Dumfries & Galloway
Glasgow & Clyde, Argyll & the Isles and Dumfries & Galloway all connect naturally with Ayrshire & Arran.