Bea’s guidebook
Sightseeing
Described as the jewel in the crown of the National Trust for Scotland, Culzean Castle is set on a cliff looking out over the Firth of Clyde. Deigned by Robert Adam it was the home of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis. There's a swan pond, several trails, adventure cove, a beach, caves, ice house, beautiful gardens as well as a shop and tea room.
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Culzean Castle
Described as the jewel in the crown of the National Trust for Scotland, Culzean Castle is set on a cliff looking out over the Firth of Clyde. Deigned by Robert Adam it was the home of David Kennedy, 10th Earl of Cassillis. There's a swan pond, several trails, adventure cove, a beach, caves, ice house, beautiful gardens as well as a shop and tea room.
Admission to the house is by guided tour only although the gardens and estate are free. I'm not an antiques buff but I'd recommend booking a tour (£16 for an adult) to see the famous Chippendale furniture. It's truly stunning. There are some lovely walks around the estate and a children's play park.
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Dumfries House: en del av Prinsens Stiftelse
Admission to the house is by guided tour only although the gardens and estate are free. I'm not an antiques buff but I'd recommend booking a tour (£16 for an adult) to see the famous Chippendale furniture. It's truly stunning. There are some lovely walks around the estate and a children's play park.
Loch Doon is a great place to visit, there's a ruined castle, free fishing (and swimming!), ospreys (March - October) a forest drive and great walk along Ness Glen. Starting at the Roundhouse Cafe (also has toilets) it's a circular walk. Don't go the official way, but rather take the higher path downwards and come back up by the River Doon. This way you get the full view of the river as is rages through the narrow glen instead of looking back over your shoulder.
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Loch Doon
Loch Doon is a great place to visit, there's a ruined castle, free fishing (and swimming!), ospreys (March - October) a forest drive and great walk along Ness Glen. Starting at the Roundhouse Cafe (also has toilets) it's a circular walk. Don't go the official way, but rather take the higher path downwards and come back up by the River Doon. This way you get the full view of the river as is rages through the narrow glen instead of looking back over your shoulder.
No need to have your own kayak. A boat trip round Ailsa Craig is a great way to see this granite volcanic plug up close. The bird life is also spectacular. Available all year round , weather permitting.
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Ailsa Craig
No need to have your own kayak. A boat trip round Ailsa Craig is a great way to see this granite volcanic plug up close. The bird life is also spectacular. Available all year round , weather permitting.
Great Experiences
Trips must be pre-booked. A great place to view the night sky with an elevated viewing platform and two powerful telescopes which the public can use. Best time to visit is autumn/winter when skies are very dark. If you can time your visit with annual meteor showers: Quadrantids 28 Dec-12 Jan; Lyrids 13-29 April; Eta Aquariids 18 Apr- 27 May; Delta Aquariids 13 Jul-24 Aug; Alpha Capricornids 2 Jul-24 Aug; Perseids 16 Jul-24 Aug; Draconids 7-11 Oct; Orionids 1 Oct-6 Nov: Taurids 20 Oct-10 Dec; Leonids 5-29 Nov; Geminids 3-16 Dec; Ursids 17-26 Dec.
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Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
Trips must be pre-booked. A great place to view the night sky with an elevated viewing platform and two powerful telescopes which the public can use. Best time to visit is autumn/winter when skies are very dark. If you can time your visit with annual meteor showers: Quadrantids 28 Dec-12 Jan; Lyrids 13-29 April; Eta Aquariids 18 Apr- 27 May; Delta Aquariids 13 Jul-24 Aug; Alpha Capricornids 2 Jul-24 Aug; Perseids 16 Jul-24 Aug; Draconids 7-11 Oct; Orionids 1 Oct-6 Nov: Taurids 20 Oct-10 Dec; Leonids 5-29 Nov; Geminids 3-16 Dec; Ursids 17-26 Dec.
Food scene
Recently voted 'Best pub in South Ayrshire'. The food and ales are excellent and it has a great ambience.
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Souters Inn
47 Main RdRecently voted 'Best pub in South Ayrshire'. The food and ales are excellent and it has a great ambience.
Neighbourhoods
In my view the best conservation village in South Ayrshire. Quaintly old fashioned; there's an annual agricultural show on the second Saturday in June. An excellent community shop, play park and a village hall where visitors are made to feel welcome at events such as whist drives. Set in beautiful surroundings with several way marked walks starting from the village.
Straiton
In my view the best conservation village in South Ayrshire. Quaintly old fashioned; there's an annual agricultural show on the second Saturday in June. An excellent community shop, play park and a village hall where visitors are made to feel welcome at events such as whist drives. Set in beautiful surroundings with several way marked walks starting from the village.