Ailsa Craig is an island in the outer Firth of Clyde, 10 miles from mainland, as seen from Ayrshire Coastline.
Golf & Tourism in Ayrshire
For anyone enjoying the magnificent golf courses on the
Ayrshire coastline the sight of islands across the Firth of
Clyde is no more than a glimpse away. A rich tapestry of
these islands helps to shape the coastline, with the Isle of
Arran so colourful to the north and Ailsa Craig so upright
and shapely to the south. This region’s beauty extends
further, into the heart of Ayrshire and into its history, too.
A visit should not alone be contained to the almost 50
golf courses (including the Open Championship venues of
Royal Troon, and Prestwick – acclaimed as the birth place
of the Open) for there is more to see and do. After all, this is
the birth place not just of the Open, but also of Scotland’s
national poet, Robert Burns. He was born in the village of
Alloway, where you will find the Robert Burns Birthplace
Museum.
To the islands many visitors will go, discovering mountain
peaks, distilleries, local food and Bronze Age remnants. The
Machrie Moor Stone Circles on the west coast of Arran have
been standing for nearly four thousand years … and tourists
have been standing among them ever since. Brodick Castle,
to the east, dates back to the Vikings, and is visible from the
ferries that travel to Arran throughout the year.
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For those preferring the turf of the mainland, Western
Gailes promises the most stunning views of Arran, with tee
boxes perched above the beach and the hypnotic rhythm of
dunes that seems to flow from the northern-most links of
West Kilbride, all the way south to Prestwick and beyond to
Turnberry. Even Irvine, a links well inland, has that perfect
crumpled terrain. It enjoys a reputation as a ‘hidden gem’
and proves that golfers can ask for little more of this golfing
paradise. The Marine Hotel, overlooking Royal Troon’s
18th green, is a favourite destination for golfers. Rooms
are named after famous golfing occupants which may just
inspire you for your next round.
Prestwick town boasts an almost unfair share of courses
as well as a main street possessing several excellent
restaurants. It proves as magnetic during the evening as
Prestwick Golf Club does during the day. Fish and shellfish
caught off the Ayrshire coast are a speciality and promise
a perfect end to a day on the course, discovering castles
(Culzean Castle is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the
National Trust for Scotland), sailing or hiking the coastline
trail.