The Glasgow & Ayrshire Travel Guide looks at local attractions, places of interest, entertainment and contains useful tourist information for visitors. Located in the west of Scotland, the scenic county of Ayrshire and the city of Glasgow offer visitors with a range of attractions. Glasgow has undergone a transformation from a city that had an unfortunate reputation to one that has emerged with renewed confidence that is at the vanguard of the arts and culture. The city has much to look forward to and has enjoyed much regeneration and modernisation in the recent past. With the scenic Ayrshire countryside, there is both town and country for visitors to explore here.
Overview and Attractions
The county of Ayrshire is known for its natural beauty, wonderful coast and its close associations with poet Robert Burns. The Ayrshire coast is extremely scenic and boasts sandy beaches and has a milder climate than much of Scotland thanks to its location.
Ayrshire is known as a good place to enjoy outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling, trekking and golf. The area is a mecca for golfing enthusiasts from far and wide, it is possible to play on some of the best and most famous courses in the world as some clubs allow non-members to pay a green fee and play, making a visit to Ayrshire a must for golfing aficionados.
Historically Ayr was one of the most important harbours on the west coast of Scotland for centuries. Ayr has evolved to become a seaside resort with many activities for visitors to enjoy. The town has some nice historic buildings for visitors to explore these include the Town Hall, Wallace Tower and Loudoun Hall, a restoration of Scotland's oldest merchant's house, built in the 16th century. Ayr Racecourse, dating back to 1770 is a popular one for racing fans, in September the Ayr Festival has entertainment and activities for visitors to enjoy.
Kilmarnock has some attractive buildings, the town has a long history of over a thousand years. There is a statue of poet Robert Burns in the centre of town as a noteworthy feature. There are also pieces of street art to look out for here. Kilmarnock plays host to the oldest professional football club in Scotland, Kilmarnock Football Club. Golfers will enjoy the two golf courses here whilst the Galleon Centre offers a range of leisure facilities such as a swimming pool, squash courts, gym and games hall.
Galston is an ancient town that is surrounded by lovely countryside, during its long history it has been associated with famous figures such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The Barr Castle is the oldest building in Galston that was built in the 15th century. Galston also has Loudoun Castle theme park and the ruins of Loudoun Castle. The town has a good selection craft shops and a great choice of cafes and restaurants for visitors to try.
The City of Glasgow is the largest and best known city in Scotland. It has a rich and varied history, once known as the 'second city of the empire' gives an indication as to its importance. The city gained its wealth and power from the cotton mills, shipyards and coal mines, thus was an industrial powerhouse. Today with the heavy industries no longer on the horizon, Glasgow still has its energy and generates the excitement associated with thriving cities.
Is has been noted by many that the city has more than a hint of the continent about it, there are a number of stylish bars and restaurants that give rise to this. The people of the city are known for their warmth and humour. They have had to endure some tough times when heavy industry was closing and taking the lifeblood of the communities with it. However they have re-build and renovated and today's Glasgow is very different to the image of a past industrial giant. The city has also been compared to North America, for its grid street system and streetwise locals.
Glasgow's Merchant City is viewed as a trendy part of town with warehouse/loft apartments. You can smell the aroma of the espressos on the street as you go past the fashionable cafes, there are a number of boutique designer stores, award winning restaurants and wine bars and clubs. It is where you will see high society but being Glasgow there is a relaxed atmosphere.
The Gallery of Modern Art is the second most visited contemporary art gallery outside London, it offers a programme of temporary exhibitions and workshops. The gallery displays work by both local Scottish and international artists. It first opened back in 1996, the Gallery of Modern Art is situated in Glasgow city centre. The elegant building that hosts the collection was refurbished to house the city's contemporary art collection and the building is a combination of old and new architecture. The gallery is developing all the time and now has a dedicated Education and Access studio allowing for facilitating workshops.
A visit to the Glasgow Science Centre offers an interesting day out for the whole family. There are several attractions for visitors to enjoy here, main centrepiece is the Science Mall. The mall has three floors of exhibits, there are also cafes and shops. A great place for those that like to explore and be challenged there are hundreds of exhibits, live science related shows, an E-learning centre and an impressive Virtual Science Theatre.
The IMAX cinema at the Glasgow Science Centre has an awesome light and sound system that is sure to amaze. The 3D film experience is an impressive one. The Glasgow Tower at the Science Centre is the first tower able to revolve around 360 degrees from the ground up. It is approx 400 feet in height and offers visitors the chance to see wonderful views for many miles around the area.
Culzean is located in Ayrshire and is one of the most popular castles in Scotland. There is something for everyone to enjoy, there is a castle along with gardens to explore and shops, restaurants and a visitor centre, these are usually open from the end of March to the end of October, it is best to check on the website to confirm the exact dates. The estate is one of some 600 acres, the Kennedy family is one of Scotland's oldest that trace ancestry to Robert the Bruce. Culzean Castle was their principal seat from 1759, the imposing castle and its landscape reflected their status. Over the centuries, the family transformed a medieval tower house, into one of the grandest country houses in Ayrshire. There are many events that take place here these include tours, walks, fairs and many others.
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is located in Alloway and offers visitors a chance to experience the heritage of the famous poet within the environment that inspired his imagination. At the Burns National Heritage Park visitors can see Burns Cottage built back in 1757 by Robert Burns' father, William. In 1759, the cottage became the place the great poet was born. There have been some illustrious names to have visited here these include John Keats, Muhammad Ali and Clark Gable among others. The cottage has been restored to the original condition, it includes audio-visual features that bring to life the life of Robert Burns.
The Burns Monument was opened to the public in 1823 and has become a place of pilgrimage for fans the world over and a focus for events that celebrate his life and work. There are some stunning views of Alloway from the roof of the Monument. A trip here makes for a fascinating insight in to the life, times and inspirations of one of the greatest poets.
The O2 Academy in Glasgow is a venue that features a high tech sound and lighting system and this large capacity venue caters for live gigs and cutting edge dance events and club nights. The Glasgow Academy is a popular place for artists and visitors alike and helps provide a showcase for the Scottish music scene.
The venue has seen many performances including those in the rock, pop, indie genre and dance events and has had gigs from the Sugababes, The Proclaimers, Craig David, Mis-Teeq, and Public Enemy among others. Dance events are popular here and there are regular club nights from top Scottish club promoters Colours, Slam and Inside Out. There are alternative burlesque events with Club Noir. A venue that caters for many tastes is a favourite among fans of music and dance.
The Living Room is a place where diners can enjoy a nice meal in a hip, trendy environment. The Living Room in Glasgow has become popular with the hip and trendy, located in the centre of the Glasgow's business district, there is a relaxed, chilled out vibe here. During the day time it is popular with office workers and is popular with people looking to party in the evenings, there is also live music on offer. The menu includes a range of popular dishes, these include sea bass fillet and Thai salmon fishcakes among many others. There is a monthly beer, wine and cocktails list to try your drinks from. This is a vibrant place and offers diners nice food in the heart of the city.
The Left Bank is located in Gibson Street, Glasgow. It is a bar and kitchen that is known for serving great food from breakfast until the evening. Visitors can enjoy a drink and food here in the comfortable surroundings whilst relaxing and enjoying the laid back atmosphere. The Left Bank use seasonal and local produce wherever possible, there is a wide menu that includes bar snacks, smoothies, cocktails, coffees, brunch, lunch, and an evening menu. The menu caters for a range of tastes and includes tapas to seafood using a range of influences.
Glasgow has a broad appeal for visitors from those that like the bright lights and big city attractions to those that like the arts and culture; they are well catered for in the city. Ayrshire will appeal to those wanting a wonderful coastline with the opportunity to take it easy and relax in the beautiful Scottish countryside or take part in more energetic pursuits such as the many outdoor activities the area is famous for. The region is well connected by road, rail and air courtesy of Glasgow Airport making it easily assessable for visitors. An interesting mix of city and rural makes a holiday here an appealing one.
Disclaimer: The information given in on this website is given in good faith and to the best of our knowledge. If there are any discrepancies in no way do we intend to mislead. Important travel details and arrangements should be confirmed and verified with the relevant authorities.
