AYRSHIRE shines Be proud of what we have to offer Welcome to East Ayrshire... A land of rolling hills and inland beauty, stretching from the south of Glasgow towards the temperate south-west coast of Scotland, Ayrshire boasts a wealth of attractions, historic sites, breathtaking landscape and scenic walks. Enjoy a warm Scottish welcome Johnnie Walker, Keir Hardie, John Try your luck with a round at the whilst sampling mouth-watering local Baird, Alexander Fleming and world’s only ‘Gowf’ Club at produce... warm the soul with live James Boswell, to name only a Loudoun or sample the greens at music... wonder at the legends and few, all have their place in our local Rowallan Castle Golf Club. history that wrap themselves around history and their legacies form the If you want to stretch your legs and you... immerse yourself in the words foundation of many of the cultural admire the scenery there are a of Robert Burns and enjoy the beauty attractions on offer in the area. fantastic array of walks and trails of the stunning landscape. Whether East Ayrshire also boasts one of the on offer throughout East Ayrshire. you want to relax, unwind, explore, country’s most beautiful stately Take a stroll along the River Ayr or be surprised, discovering the homes, Dumfries House. Way and marvel at the Bronze Age treasures of this beautiful area has cup and ring markings, meander something for everyone! Nestled between Cumnock and through the Irvine Valley, or explore Auchinleck, the house, which was Our smaller towns have much to the path networks of the Doon rescued for the nation by HRH The offer. Mauchline was home to Valley which lead into the Galloway Prince Charles, has been described Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Forest Park and Loch Doon. as an 18th century time capsule, Burns, during his most creative with sumptuous interiors and East Ayrshire offers wonderful local period. He took his poetic and magnificent furnishings. cuisine and you will be spoilt for musical inspiration from its people, choice with the variety of towns and countryside. Visit the Dean Castle Country Park in restaurants, bars, cafes and hotels National Burns Memorial or his first Kilmarnock is a fantastic day out for selling a range of delectable local marital home, the Burns House all the family. The country park, fayre, and you can always hone Museum in the cobbled back covering over 200 acres, is nestled your own culinary skills with a day streets of Mauchline or The Dick in the heart of Kilmarnock and at Braehead Foods’ five-star Institute Museum in Kilmarnock, offers something for kids and adults attraction, Cook School Scotland. the town where Burns published alike to enjoy. Excellent transport links via his first works, all a must for any Ayrshire is internationally renowned Glasgow International Airport, Burns enthusiast. for golf, and inland Ayrshire is Glasgow Prestwick International home to some hidden gems. Airport, the M77/ M8 and M74 motorways plus numerous bus and rail stations, makes East Ayrshire the gold choice for 2014. With so much to do, one visit is never enough. But don’t worry because in East Ayrshire you’re always welcome! AYRSHIRE shines Attractions East Ayrshire is well equipped to offer a fantastic range of attractions from Europe’s largest Wind Farm to creation of path networks, community woodlands, nature reserves and sites designated for their biodiversity interest. 1 Dark Sky Observatory www.scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk Tel: 01292 551118 The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory occupies a fantastic hilltop site on the edge of the Galloway Forest Park. It is within the magical surroundings of Craigengillan, rated by Historic Scotland as one of the top four Designed Landscapes in the country, on a par with Culzean and Drumlanrig and ahead of even Balmoral. This new public observatory lies within the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park near Dalmellington, under some of the darkest skies in the UK. Galloway Forest Dark park is the only Dark Sky Park have a public use observatory and the only IDA (International Dark-Sky Association) gold tier park in the UK The observatory is open to the public, amateur astronomers, groups, clubs, schools and universities, with the aim of inspiring people of all ages and all backgrounds with the beauty and wonder of the universe. Whitelee Wind Farm is Europe's 2 Whitelee Wind Farm largest windfarm and is located on Eaglesham Moor just 20 minutes from www.whiteleewindfarm.co.uk Glasgow and has lots to offer for visitors of all ages. Call the Visitor Centre on 0141 614 0851 Learn all about renewable energy with Moor Road, Eaglesham hands on interactive activities in the Visitor Centre or explore over 70kms of trails suitable for cycling, walking and other outdoor pursuits. It is also home to 25km2 area of habitat which is home to species such as merlin and black grouse. The Café serves a selection of hot and cold food, teas and coffees and children’s meals. It is framed with large glass windows and an external viewing deck which provides stunning views of the windfarm. Be proud of what we have to offer 3 Dean Castle Country Park www.eastayrshireleisure.com Tel: 01563 554734 Camera Obscura performing in the Courtyard - Kilmarnock Edition Festival 2009 Classic Car Rally Dean Castle and Country Park Dean Castle Country Park is a fantastic free day out for all the family. The country park, covering over 200 acres, is nestled in the heart of Kilmarnock and offers something for kids and adults alike to enjoy. The Country Park boasts beautiful woodland walks, an adventure playground, urban farm, visitor centre, tearoom, shop and a fantastic 14th century castle housing world class collections including historic weapons, armour and musical instruments. You can explore the park using scenic paths and trails - each season brings with it ever changing plants and wildlife that you might spy along the way. With over 80 hectares of countryside within a very urban area, the park is a great Dressing up place to get away from the stresses of everyday life and see some fantastic wildlife. in the Keep Pond life workshop 4 Palace Theatre 5 Muirkirk audio tour & Grand Hall Tel: 01290 661335 The Muirkirk audio tour is available all year round. Tel: 01563 554900 La-Orilla B&B, 29 Garronhill, Muirkirk KA18 3RY Open Mon - Sat, 10:00 - The River Ayr Way route passes through many local communities 17:00 and show nights. along the way, each of which have their own path network 9 Green Street, with interpretation including Scotland’s first village audio Kilmarnock, KA1 3BN. tour in Muirkirk which was opened by Tony Robinson. Ayrshire’s leading Muirkirk has a rich mine of history from religious rebellion to entertainment venue, industrial revolution, from mining monks to Britain’s last pit featuring music, drama, ponies, from innovators to dissenters, from Burns-style poets dance, comedy and variety. to famous footballers. In its heyday, Muirkirk was a bustling Cafe bar available for industrial village. The idea behind the tour is to try and bring drinks, snacks and pre- Calvin Harris performs to a capacity the village’s rich and varied history back to life in a dramatic theatre meals. crowd at the Grand Hall. and interesting way for visitors and many local residents, including local primary children, feature in the audio tour. AYRSHIRE shines 7 Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex www.skinewmilns.co.uk Tel: 01560 322320 6 Dumfries House Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex Tel: 01290 551111 offers exciting activities such as skiing, Open: Thu - Mon, 01 April - 27 Sept snowboarding and mountain sports. for guided tours, booking in advance. Skiers and snowboarders of all abilities Cumnock, KA18 2NJ. are welcome with a wide range of lessons and passes available, making Acclaimed as one of the UK’s most The Pipers and Drummers at Dumfries House, sure there’s something for everyone. authentic heritage homes, the House from ‘Taste of the Tattoo’, summer 2009 was built by the Adam Brothers Whether you’re a seasoned pro looking between 1754 and 1759 for the 5th for a new freestyle park each week, just Earl of Dumfries, the house has a world beginning your Snowsports journey or renowned collection of Chippendale simply want to have a whizz down the and 18th century Scottish furniture. slopes on our Ringos, you’ll find it at Newmilns Snow and Sports Complex. In June 2007, HRH The Prince of Wales, under his title as the Great Steward of Scotland, headed a 8 Cook School Scotland consortium of charities and heritage bodies to purchase this unique house, www.braeheadfoods.co.uk its contents and adjoining land, in order to keep this historical jewel intact Tel: 01563 550008 and accessible to the public. See website for classes and opening times. Dumfries House is one of Britain’s Moorfield North Industrial Park, most beautiful stately homes and best Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, KA2 0FE kept heritage secrets. With its Five star attraction offering a range of sumptuous interiors and magnificent classes and culinary demonstrations furnishings, all set in two thousand in a beautiful kitchen with some of the acres of land, there is something to country’s top chefs. delight and enchant visitors of all ages. Be proud of what we have to offer The Great Outdoors 1 Doon Valley 2 Irvine Valley Path Network Path Network The Doon Valley is the gateway to the Galloway Forest The Irvine Valley is a walker’s paradise with a myriad of Park. The area has an abundance of path networks footpaths through tranquil open countryside, high allowing visitors to take in the area’s fascinating history, moorland, dappled riverside and shaded woodland.