It's nigh on impossible to tour Ayr without coming across the name Robert Burns, Scotland's national and much celebrated Bard. This has everything to do with the fact that in 1759 Burns was born two miles away in Alloway, and it was the Ayrshire countryside that is likely to have inspired some of his famous verses. Scotland's National Poet is just one of Ayr's draws however: thanks to its smooth beaches, street plan dating back to the 1200s and charming Auld Town, Ayr isone of the top places to head on a coach tour of Scotland.
Tour Ayr
Stroll through the attractive town on your tour of Ayr and indulge in the High Street and specialist shops, including the self-explanatory Tartan Corner. Auld Brig (old bridge) is also worth a look having been mentioned in Burns's 'The Brigs of Ayr'. In addition to the bridge, Burns's legacy is still alive in the town's annual music festival. Other events on Ayr's calendar are the number of races held at Ayr Racecourse, home to the Scottish Grand National and Gold Cup.
- A trip to Alloway is enough to make even the non-Scottish feel a swell of pride. The thatched cottage built by Burns's father in which the Bard was brought into the world still exists, as well as a number of landmarks that Burns referred to in his verses.