Ayr: Ayr is one of Scotland's oldest towns, once occupied by Edward I (Edward Long Shanks) in his attempt to conquer Scotland and in later centuries by Oliver Cromwell who built a fort in Ayr, which has mostly been built over, but some parts of the zig zag walls remain even to this day. Ayr in past years was a main sea port, but has always been a favourite holiday destination, with miles of beaches and the many famous golf courses around it, including the World Famous Turnberry. Even the Scottish Bard Rabbie Burns wrote of the place "Auld Ayr wham ne’er a toun surpasses For Honest Men and Bonnie Lasses". Spectacular views of the peaks of Arran and the Mull of Kintyre are just a few of the attractions of this lovely coastal town, which sits on the Firth of Clyde thirty two miles south of Glasgow. Monuments, museums, art galleries, restaurants, hotels and guest houses are plentiful in this beautiful town, with the river Ayr running through it's centre, it's a must see place.
Also famous on a world wide scale is the Ayr Racecourse where many fortunes change hands on race days, with some of the top race horses and owners in the UK gathering here. Venue of the Scottish Grand National and the Scottish Derby, a trip to the races is a wonderful spectacle even if you don't gamble. Ayr is also one of the ports of call for the "Waverley" one of the worlds last working paddle steamers, which plies up and down the Firth of Clyde carrying it's delighted passengers to many of the coastal towns on the way, step aboard for a taste of steam driven history. A short trip to the neighbouring village of Alloway is a must, to visit the birth place of Robert Burns poet and Bard of Scotland.
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