The Attractions of South West Scotland For Your Interest and Enjoyment Return to : Dalbeattie Domain |
Burns Cottage & Museum : Robert Burns, the poet, was born
here on on 25th January 1759, in a thatched cottage built by his father. This
was his home until 1766. The cottage has audiovisual displays and an adjacent
cottage is a museum of Burnsiana and a tearoom. Open summer, daily, 9 a.m. to
6 p.m., reduced hours in winter.
Telephone : 01292-441215. Fax and Website : See Tam O' Shanter Experience.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Highly Commended' attraction.
Tam O'Shanter Experience : This impressive presentation
brings to life Burns's most famous work. Presented in a three-screen theatre
set with modern multi-media techniques to show visitors 18th-century Ayr.
There is also a 12-minute 'Discover Burns' audiovisual presentation. 120-seat
restaurant and gift shop. Open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Telephone : 01292-443700. Fax : 01292-441750.
Website :
http://www.robertburns.org/ E-mail : Not yet available.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Highly Commended' attraction.
Auld Kirk of Alloway : The setting for the gathering of
the coven interrupted by the drunken Tam O'Shanter. This is ironic, as Burns's
father was actually buried here.
All communications through Tam
O'Shanter Experience.
Brig O'Doon : Spans the River Doon. This single arch bridge
is the setting for the climax to Burns's poem. Tam was saved by his horse,
Maggie, at the expense of her tail, torn out by the young witch Nannie.
All communications through Tam O'Shanter Experience.
Burns Monument & Gardens : 1823 Grecian monument dedicated
to the poet, set in attractive gardens beside the River Ayr. Open April to
October.
All communications through Tam O'Shanter Experience.
Bachelors' Club, Tarbolton : Formed in 1780 by Robert
Burns and six others as a literary and debating society. Building used for
the meeting now a museum with period furnishings. National Trust for
Scotland property. Open 1st May - 30th November 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and
same hours during weekends in October.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Commended' attraction.
Telephone : 01292-541940.
Burns House Museum, Mauchline : Burns took a room on the
upper floor for Jean Armour in 1788. Room kept intact and furnished in the
style of the time.
Telephone : 01290-550045.
Souter Johnnie's Cottage, Kirkoswald : Thatched cottage
home of village cobbler (souter) John Davidson at the end of the 18th
century. He was later immortalised in Burns's poem 'Tam O'Shanter'. Display
of Burnsiana and contemporary cobblers' tools. Run by National Trust for
Scotland. Open 1st May to 30th September, 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., weekends
in October 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Telephone : 01655-760603/760274.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Commended' attraction.
National Burns Memorial Tower, Mauchline : Opened 1896,
refurbished with Tourist Information Centre on ground floor. Interpretation
centre on first and second floors on Burns's life in Mauchline, and industry
in Cumnock and Doon Valley. Open all year, Monday - Saturday 9.15 - 5 p.m.
Telephone : 01290-551916.
Doon Valley Museum, Dalmellington : Reconstruction
of weaver's room, audiovisual presentation and and exhibition telling the
story of the Dalmellington Iron Company. Open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Telephone : 01292-550633.
Scottish Industrial Railway Centre, Dalmellington : Large
collection of steam engines and rolling stock. Open on steam days or by
appointment. One can ride in a Brake Van behind the steam engine on two miles
of track and learn about all aspects of railway life.
Telephone : 01292-531144 (daytime) or 01292-313579 (evenings/weekends) for
details of steam days.
Dunaskin Heritage Centre, Dalmellington : National Open Air
Museum being developed on the site of the former Dalmellington Iron Company
works.
Telephone : 01292-531144. Fax : 01292-532314.
Website :
http://home.btconnect.com/Dunaskin/
E-mail : dunaskin@btconnect.com
Rozelle House, Alloway : 18th century mansion house.
Houses the art and museum collections of South Ayrshire Council.
Fine art exhibitions in house and McLauren galleries in stable block.
Temporary exhibitions change regularly. Workshops and craft shop. Coffee
shop, toilets, onsite parking. Disabled access only to McLauren and
coffee shop. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday
(April-October) 2 p.m to 5 p.m.
Telephone : 01292-445447. Fax : 01292-442065.
Culzean Castle & Country Park, by Maybole : The National
Trust for Scotland's most impressive property, is an excellent cliff-top
country house with a very fine garden and country park. The castle was extensively
rebuilt by Robert Adam in 1777. Eisenhower display on this General's part in
World War ii (1939-1945) and afterwards. Country Park amongst the most beautiful
in Britain. Reception and Interpretation Centre in converted stables, deer park,
swan pond, walled garden, aviary, ranger naturalist service with guided walks,
restaurant and tearoom. Open all year.
Telephone : 01655-760274/760269. Fax : 01655-760615.
Website :
http://www.thenationaltrustforscotland.org.uk/.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Commended' attraction.
Sorn Castle, Sorn : 14th century castle in riverside
setting. James VI (and I) stayed here in 1598. Enlarged in 18th and 19th
centuries. Castle open 20th July - 17th August, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Gardens
open 1st April - 30th October.
Telephone : Cluttons : 01505-612124.
District Heritage Centre and Baird Institute, Cumnock :
Museum has Keir Hardie room and other exhibitions changed every two months.
District Heritage Centre access to local maps, books, historical archives.
Open all year, weekdays except Wednesday, 10 a.m - 1 p.m., 1.30 p.m. - 4.30
p.m. Saturdays 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Telephone : 01290-421701.
Crossraguel Abbey, Maybole : Built in 1244, one of the
few Cluniac abbeys in Scotland. Extensive remains of high archaeological
distinction. Open daily 9.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. with weekend hours only
between October and April.
Telephone : 01655-883113. Fax : As phone.
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Commended' attraction.
Maybole Collegiate Church : In Maybole on A77. Chapel
established by the Kennedys of Dunure in 1371 to say masses for the family
dead, college of canons started twelve years later. External view only.
Telephone : Crossraguel Abbey for information.
Doon Castle : Free access to castle relocated from an
island in the 1930s after Loch Doon reservoir created. Eleven-sided masonry
curtain wall, masonry dating from 1300.
Telephone : Crossraguel Abbey for information.
Blairquhan Castle, Straiton : Private mansion house
designed by William Burn. Open 14 July-11 August daily, between 1.30 p.m.
and 6 p.m., except Mondays.
Telephone : 01655-770239.
McKechnie Institute, Girvan : Local Museum and Community
Arts Centre. All year round exhibition programme including local artists,
local history and Ailsa Craig. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m to 4 p.m., Monday
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (July and August)
Telephone : 01465-713643.
Wonderwest World, Ayr : The largest theme park in Scotland
with a varied selection of entertainments and sports facilities. Group rates.
Open daily, April to October.
Telephone : 01292-265141. Fax : 01292-445206.
Heads of Ayr Open Farm Park, Ayr : Located beside
Wonderwest World. The Farm Park has sledges and pony rides, an aerial runway,
indoor playbarn and cafe. There is a straw playshed and hundreds of
interesting animals such as Johnny the Llama. Come and try our quadbikes for
an unusual holiday experience.
Telephone : 01292-441210. Fax : As phone.
Website : Being obtained. E-mail : edna@hoafp.demon.com.uk
N.B. This is a Scottish Tourist Board 'Commended' attraction.
Doon Valley Rare Breeds Centre, Skares : Over 60
different breeds of waterfowl, poultry and other animals. Tearoom and
car park. Open 1st March - 30th November 10 a.m - 6 p.m. daily, December to
February by appointment.
Telephone : 01290-421553.
Barwinnock Herbs : A garden and nursery at Barrhill.
This offers a range of herbs and an interesting exhibition of rural life.
Open from the start of April to the end of October.
Telephone : 01465-821338. Fax : As phone.
Southern Uplands Way : This impressive long-distance path runs all the way from the Irish Sea at Portpatrick's harbour across the Scottish Borders to Cockburnspath on the North Sea. Quality Farm Holidays can offer lodgings for the dedicated walker at Stranraer, Glenluce, Bargrennan, Barrhill and St. John's Town of Dalry. You may plan a walking holiday around these stopovers with confidence.
Dalmilling, Westwood Avenue, Ayr KA8 0QU. :
5,724 yard 18-hole easy walking meadowland
course. Par 69. SSS 68.
Telephone : 01292-263893.
Seafield, Doonfoot Road, Ayr, KA7 4DU. :
5,498 yard 18-hole Pay and Play course of 10
parkland and 8 links courses. Clubhouse shared with Belleisle. Par 68.
SSS 67.
Telephone : 01292-441258/441314. Fax : 01292-442632.
Belleisle, Doonfoot Road, Ayr, KA7 4DU. :
6,477 yard 18-hole parkland course. Pay to
Play. One of the best public layouts in Scotland. Par 71. SSS 72.
Telephone : 01292-441258. Fax : 01292-442632.
New Cumnock, Lochill, New Cumnock KA18 4BQ. :
5,176 yard 9-hole parkland course overlooking
Loch. Par 68. SSS 65.
Telephone : 01290-423659.
Doon Valley Golf Course, Hillside, Patna, KA6 7JT. :
5,654 yard 9-hole Pay & Play hillside moorland course. Par 68. SSS 68.
Telephone : 01292-531607.
Maybole Golf Course, Memorial Park, Maybole, KA19 :
5,270 yard 9-hole course set in the Carrick Hills. Pay & Play parkland
course. Par 66. SSS 65.
Telephone : 01655-889770.
Turnberry Hotel and Golf Course, Turnberry, Ayrshire KA26 9LT.
:
Two world-famous courses with a world-class hotel beside them. Has hosted
Open Championships. One of the top fifty courses in the world. Golf museum.
Ailsa : 6,976 yard 18-hole links course. Par 70. SSS 72.
Arran : 6,014 yard 18-hole links course. Par 68. SSS 69.
Telephone : 01655-331000. Fax : 01655-331706.
Website :
http://www.turnberry.com/
E-mail :
turnberry@westin.com
Brunston Castle, Dailly, Girvan, KA26 9RH. :
6,792 yard 18-hole sheltered inland
parkland course, transected by River Girvan. Par 72. SSS 73.
Telephone : 01465-811471. Fax : 01465-811545.
Girvan Golf Course, Golf Course Road, Girvan KA26 9HW. :
5,095 yard 18-hole Play & Pay seaside course with 8 Links and 10 parkland
holes. Par 64. SSS 64.
Telephone : 01465-714346/714272. Fax : 01465-714346.
N.B. : The famous courses at Prestwick, Troon and Irvine, are only a few miles north of Ayr. In all there are 44 courses in Ayrshire and Arran.
A further 31 Golf Courses are available in Dumfries & Galloway Golf Links index
The Pottery, Pinmore, Girvan : Craft shop, studio and workshop.
Tearoom and parking. One-day leisure courses in drawing, painting, pottery
and other crafts. Open April to September 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone : 01465-841662/712897.
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All text and images © 1999 Richard Edkins of Dalbeattie Internet. |