Culzean Castle (photo by jeaneeem)

Today the little village of Alloway is part of the Ayr's suburbs, accessible by buses no 1 and 57 from Sangate or 58 and 60 from the bus station. It is famous for being the birthplace of the Scottish national poet - Robert Burns. The main sight here is the Burns Cottage and Museum. It is a low traditional house with whitewashed walls, where in the past people and animals lived under one and the same roof. Although it has undergone many restorations during the long years, the house still can help you imagine what its only room, where Burns was born in 1759, looked liked 250 years ago. A museum with two small exposition rooms is located close to the house. It displays a rich collection of Burnsiana.

A 10-minute walk from the birth house of Burns you will find the ruins of the ancient Alloway Kirk where the father of the poet was buried. Close to the church remains is the fetching and well-preserved medieval humpback bridge - Brig o'Doon. Right next to the bridge, on the bank of the river rises the Neoclassical Burns Monument. It is surrounded by a nice and well maintained garden. The garden and the monument are accessed via the Tam o'Shanter Experience.

The magnificent Culzean Castle can be found a short, 10-mile drive in southern direction from the county town of Ayr. It boasts a superb panoramic location, perched on a sheer cliff over the Firth of Clyde coast with spectacular sea view towards the Isle of Arran. The present appearance of the castle is the result of the latest 18th-century construction works after a design worked out by the talented Scotland’s architect Robert Adam. The architectural style can be classified as Neoclassicism. The unrivalled skills of the architect are most distinguished in the splendid Oval Staircase, one of his most known masterpieces. Tiers of Ionian columns support the staircase leading to a sumptuous hall, crowned by an amazing glazed dome. Among the interesting exponents in the castle are the portrait of Napoleon created by Lefevre and a beautiful Chippendale four-poster bed. Many people come here just for a walk along the beach or a pleasant picnic in the large country park, surrounding Culzean Castle.

Burns Monument (photo by kyz)

The top floor of the castle has been turned into a luxury hotel. It has 6 en-suite rooms, designed in an original genteel style.

The seaside town of Irvine is located just 12 miles north of Ayr. Although classified as a new town, Irvine boasts a long history. In the 12th century it was the military capital of Scotland and a residence of the Lord High Constable. Later the town became an important sea port, playing a major role in the trade between Scotland and Ireland, exporting also coal obtained in Kilmarnock. The memory of this golden age of Irvine is still alive in the Scottish Maritime Museum, located in several buildings on the charmingly restored old harbour of the town. We recommend you to start exploring the museum from the interesting Lighthouse Engine Shop. It is a large, hangar-like structure, dating back to the 19th century. Its exposition includes a much varied collection from ancient boats to huge ship's engines.

The railway and bus stations of Irvine are ideally located to serve as a starting point of your sightseeing tour. They are both right between the harbour and the old town, a short stroll from the Riverfront shopping centre too.