Ayrshire

城市概覽

Ayrshire occupies a low fertile crescent of land bordering the Firth of Clyde. There are traces of human habitation going back 5000 years, but in such an intensively cultivated area, prehistoric sites on the mainland have been lost by being ploughed over or re-used as building stone - but many remain on Arran, with the best on Machrie Moor. The Romans stayed only briefly, then retreated to Hadrian's Wall, leaving the place to the people of Strathclyde, who spoke a P-Celtic language similar to Old Welsh. Around the 7th century they were supplanted by Dalradia, a kingdom spanning the channel between Northern Ireland and southwest Scotland, and bringing in the Q-Celtic forerunner to Scottish Gaelic. The Vikings also began their depredations in that era but were ousted in medieval times, with their final defeat coming at Largs in 1263. The area was then firmly part of the Kingdom of Scotland. Ayrshire adopted modern farming methods and began to industrialise from the 17th century. Robert Burns was one who farmed hereabouts, to little profit, though he was famous for his poetry even in his short lifetime. Coal was mined in the northeast of the county in the 18th century, so this part became urbanised, and Kilmarnock outgrew Ayr. When the railways arrived from the 1840s, the coast towns morphed into beach resorts for the city of Glasgow, and remain so today. The county boundaries and governance were regularised in 1889, lasting until a reorganisation of 1975 which made Arran and Cumbrae part of this area. Since 1996 the county has been divided into three: East Ayrshire includes Kilmarnock and Cumnock, South Ayrshire includes Troon, Ayr and Girvan, and North Ayrshre includes Irvine, Largs and Arran. These boundaries have little relevance to most travellers so it's convenient to describe the historic county as a single unit.

如何抵達

By plane 1 Glasgow Airport (GLA IATA) is some 30 miles north of the county but usually the best option, because of its wide choice of UK and European destinations. Take the airport bus to Glasgow Buchanan bus station then train or bus into Ayrshire as outlined below. Prestwick Airport (PIK IATA) is central in Ayrshire and is a major centre for aviation services, air cargo and military flights, but nowadays has few passenger flights. Ryanair is the only commercial carrier, flying to 16 destinations around the Med, Canaries and Poland. So Prestwick sends Glasgow folk off on their holidays but you'd only use it to get in if you were based near one of those destinations, such as Barcelona. PIK has its own railway station and air passengers are eligible for half-price fares on their connecting rail journeys - see Prestwick for how this works. If you're flying in and renting a car to tour around, then consider also Edinburgh (EDI IATA) and Manchester (MAN IATA) airports.

By train Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain. Railways in Ayrshire radiate from Glasgow Central station. Trains run every 30 min through Kilwinning where the line divides: one branch curls back up the coast via Ardrossan and West Kilbride to Largs, while the other branch continues south to Irvine, Troon, Prestwick airport and town, and Ayr. Change at Ayr to continue south to Girvan and Stranraer. The other line from Glasgow Central runs to Kilmarnock (which also has trains to Ayr and Stranraer) then south through scenic Nithsdale to Dumfries and Carlisle. You can get here from England this way but it's usually quicker to take a fast train from London Euston via Carlisle to Glasgow Central then travel out again to Ayrshire.

By bus

All the main towns have an express bus service at least hourly from Glasgow Buchanan station. The main routes are X34 / 44 to Irvine, X36 to Ardrossan, X76 to Kilmarnock and X77 to Prestwick and Ayr. Bus 585 connects the coast every 30-60 mins between

當地交通

The main transport routes within Ayrshire are described above in "Get in". Beyond that, it's variable, see individual towns for local buses. There's a good road network across the county.

必看景點

The Isle of Arran is the most attractive part of the entire county, because of the way pastoral lowland country rubs against stark highland scenery: the glacial valley of Glen Rosa, the screes of Goat Fell, and the lonely "String" and "Ross" roads. Ferries sail from Ardrossan to Brodick, which has a castle two miles north. Alloway, a village that's become a suburb of Ayr, was the birthplace of the poet Robert Burns. You can visit the thatched cottage where he was born, the church and bridge (Brig O'Doon) featured in his ballad Tam O'Shanter, and a museum celebrating his works. Culzean Castle, open April-Oct, is a magnificent 18th-century mansion designed by Robert Adam, set in an extensive park 12 miles south of Ayr. Other castles: every few miles along the coast you'll find the scrappy ruins of a medieval castle - not much to see inside (even if it's safe to enter - or even possible to distinguish what was once inside or out), you come for the coastal walk and the sea views. Those that are substantial mansions are Culzean (as above), Brodick on Arran, and wacky Kelburn near Largs. Some have been converted to luxury accommodation, such as Law Castle at West Kilbride, and Glenapp south of Girvan. Dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea-birds: always be on the look-out for these around the coasts and ferry routes, but the best spot is the nature reserve of Ailsa Craig, reached by boat trip from Girvan. Kirkoswald towards Girvan features the ruins of Turnberry Castle, the likely birthplace of Robert the Bruce. Scotland's Gardens opens up private gardens once a year in summer, with all proceeds going to charity. There are ten participating gardens in Ayrshire, dates staggered so there's one open most weekends.

體驗活動

Golf: there are dozens of courses, constructed on the sandy machair coastal terrain, see individual town listings. The three standouts are Trump Turnberry north of Girvan, Royal Troon, and the Old Course at Prestwick. There's even a combi-package to stay for a weekend at Turnberry and play all three, a steal at £2000 a couple. Cycling: the coast route from Ayr to Girvan has pleasant views, but on the return route the stiff breeze should be behind you. Visit a distillery: the main Isle of Arran malt whisky distillery is now at Lagg in the south of the island, though the original facility at Lochranza remains open. Visit a nuclear power station at Hunterston, West Kilbride - you need to book at least 3 weeks in advance. Football: there are pro soccer teams at Kilmarnock and Ayr. Rugby union hereabouts is amateur. River Ayr Way is a hiking trail of 36 miles / 65 km. It's usually done in three sections: from the source of the river at Glenbuck to Sorn, Sorn to Stair, and then to the estuary at Ayr.

Events Ayrshire Music Festival is in March, several venues. The Scottish Grand National is held on Ayr racecourse in April. This course has flat-racing in summer and National Hunt in winter. Ayr County Show is in May. Ar