Ayr
Encyclopedia
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde
in south-west Scotland
. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire
, of which it is the county town
, and has held royal burgh
status since 1205. Ayr is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire
council area
, which is the unitary
local authority.
To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of Prestwick
, famous for its golf
and its aviation industry as home of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
. Other neighbouring settlements include Alloway
, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns
.
In 2002, Ayr was one of four Scottish towns competing for city
status to mark Queen Elizabeth II's
Golden Jubilee
, losing out to Stirling
.
was held in Ayr by Robert The Bruce at St.John's Tower by the sea. It was once known as 'Inverair/Inverayr' and this usage is still retained in the Scottish Gaelic form of the name Inbhir Air.
Later, during Cromwellian
times, the town was used as a base and fortress for some of his men. Cromwell built a huge wall around certain areas of the town, most of which can still be seen today. St John's Tower, in that area, was originally part of a massive church, but the church was knocked down, and the tower was used to practice on, and is now protected by the "Friends Of Saint Johns Tower" (FROST) residents of the "Fort Area" nearby.
is currently held by the Labour Party
, the Member of Parliament
being Sandra Osborne
. From 1950 to 1997 the former Westminster constituency of Ayr
was a Conservative
seat. The Member of Parliament for most of this period was George Younger
, who represented the constituency from 1964 to 1992.
In the Scottish Parliament
, Ayr
still exists as a constituency and has been represented by Conservative MSP John Scott
since 2000.
. The river then flows out onto the larger Firth of Clyde. From the coast Arran can be seen and on a very clear day, the north tip of Northern Ireland. It is within the region of Strathclyde. Much of the land in and around this area is very flat and low lying. Much of the land however towards the south of Ayr is higher than most areas in the county of Ayrshire. Ayr lies approximately 35 miles southwest of Glasgow.
The area experiences very cool summers and somewhat warm winters. The air is cooler during the summer due to its proximity to the sea as water has a major cooling effect on summer temperatures. During the winter months the reverse happens and the sea air
has a major warming effect on the climate. The area rarely ever sees extremes due to the effects of sea air. Rainfall is generally plentiful throughout the year due to Atlantic weather systems sweeping in from the west. Compared with the rest of Scotland, the area rarely ever sees much mist and fog
. This is because the land is relatively flat and low lying and with the wind blowing across the flatter land, this generally hinders fog from developing widely. This has made Glasgow Prestwick International Airport particularly well known as one of the less fog-prone airports in Scotland. Snowfall is rare in this part of Scotland because of the mild sea air.
. Repair work on the Ayr ceased in 1960 when Ailsa moved its operations to Troon
.
The North side of Ayr Harbour still operates as a commercial port today, mainly exporting coal, and extensive railway sidings still lead down from the main railway line near Newton-on-Ayr station.
In addition, the River Ayr and River Doon
were used for the fishing
of whitefish
and salmon
. These were then exported from Ayr Harbour.
Manufacturing of textiles such as carpets and lining was important to Ayr's economy until the factories closed in the 1970s. This caused mass unemployment in Ayr. Many of the old factories are still standing and can be seen on McCalls Avenue and Walker Road in Lochside, North Ayr, though many are derelict and unsafe. There was a large factory engaged in the production of fertilisers and other agricultural products. This has since closed, but parts of the old complex are sublet by local businesses.
Ayr has always been a hub for shopping in South Scotland with the first department store, Hourstons, opening in 1896. In the 1970s, Ayr flourished further with the opening of further stores including Marks and Spencers and Ayr's first shopping centre, the Kyle Centre (1988). Heathfield Retail park, an out-of-city retail park, opened in 1993 with shops such as Halfords
and Homebase
. Ayr Central Shopping Centre opened in March 2006 with shops such as Debenhams
and H&M
and underparking for 500 cars.
During the 19th and 20th centuries Ayr became a popular holiday resort. This was due to its fine sandy beach and its popularity was increased by the building of the rail link to Glasgow in 1840.
Ayr railway station
has services to Glasgow Central station with a half-hourly service except on Sundays. There are regular services to Stranraer
, Girvan
, Kilmarnock
and Newcastle
. These services are operated by SPT
/First ScotRail
.
The town has air links to European cities from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
just 2 miles from Ayr. Further destinations are available from Glasgow Airport
, which is 35 miles away.
The town also has bus connections serving all of the town and Prestwick. These services are operated by Stagecoach West Scotland
. The town has eight local services. There are express coaches to Glasgow Buchanan Street every 30–60 minutes. Ulsterbus
operate bus services to Belfast
via Stranraer Ferry service on Stena Line
.
Although the town does not have any ferry services from its harbour, it has good access to ferry services mainly to Northern Ireland
. Troon
, 5 miles north of Ayr, has a seasonal service to Larne
onboard P&O
. Troon can also be reached by train with trains every 30 minutes, or by bus. Stranraer
, 60 miles south of Ayr, has up to eight daily departures to Belfast.
The Church of Scotland
is the main denomination in Ayr, with nine churches spread throughout the town. The Roman Catholic Church
has two churches, and the Diocese of Galloway
Cathedral is in Ayr, St. Margaret's Cathedral. Previously there were three Roman Catholic churches. However, the Good Shepherd Cathedral
closed in 2007. Baptist Church
has one church located in Ayr i.e. Ayr Baptist. Riverside Church is a popular and modern evangelical church
with Brethren
roots, located in John Street in Ayr. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a church located in Ayr, at Orchard Ave and Mossgiel Rd.
At the United Kingdom Census 2001
, Ayr had a population of 46,431, a fall of -3.2% on 1991. Mid-2008 population estimates placed the total resident population at 46,070 making Ayr the 12th largest urban area in Scotland.
Nearly 0.36% (167) people in the town can speak Scottish Gaelic, although South Ayrshire Council provides no educational support for the language.
On 24 November 2006, it was revealed that Mainholm Academy would be closed permanently for safety reasons. Pupils have been relocated to Ayr, Kyle, Belmont, and Queen Margaret academies.
Pupils living in North Ayr may happen to attend Prestwick Academy
instead of Ayr's secondaries.
Wellington School is an independent day school in the Seafield area of Ayr. The school opened in 1836 providing private education for girls. As of 1994, Wellington has welcomed male and female pupils after Drumley House school (Mossblown) was incorporated into Wellington. It is the only independent school in Ayrshire.
, formerly named Ayr Technical College provides further and higher education courses to the people of Ayrshire and beyond. SQA
courses are available in a large variety of areas such as Mathematics and Computing, Social Sciences and practical subjects. Another organisation that provides further and higher education courses is the Scottish Agricultural College
based two miles outside of Ayr in Auchincruive
.
Ayr has two university campuses:
Situated on riverside site of the Craigie Estate, a new £70m campus brings together facilities for UWS and the Scottish Agricultural College. Construction was finished and the campus opened in August 2011.
, which is famous for its golf
and its aviation industry thanks to the presence of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
. Only 5 miles north of Ayr is Troon
, also famous for its golf and for hosting the Open Championship. Ayr has three golf courses in Bellisle, Seafield and Dalmilling, as well as a private one called St Cuthberts.
Several scenes for the 2007 TV movie The Donald Gray Show were filmed in and around the town.
Other neighbouring places include Alloway
, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns
. To the south is Craig Tara
, a Haven (formerly Butlins
) holiday park, and the fishing village of Dunure
, where there is a ruined castle formerly owned by the Kennedy
family. Ayr is twinned with Saint-Germain-en-Laye
in France
.
Ayr has four libraries plus a mobile library. The main library in Ayr and South Ayrshire is the Carnegie Library beside the River Ayr. The other libraries are:
North Ayr also has connections for Prestwick Library.
is a well-known racecourse in Scotland and hosts both National Hunt
and flat racing
. It has the largest capacity in Scotland for horse racing. Notable events include the Scottish Grand National (April) and Ayr Gold Cup (September) as well as several night meetings. It was recently put up for sale by the owners and included the Western House Hotel as part of the potential sale.
team, Ayr United F.C.
, who play at Somerset Park
in Division 1
after gaining promotion in May 2011. They reached the final of the 2001-2002 Scottish League Cup
competition. The club was formed in 1910 with the merger of Ayr F.C.
(who were formed in 1879 by the merger of Ayr Thistle and Ayr Academical football clubs) and Ayr Parkhouse F.C.
.
Whitletts Victoria F.C.
are a Junior side from the Whitletts area of Ayr.
team, Ayr RFC
, play at Millbrae and are reigning Scottish Cup Champions, and won the 2008/09 Scottish Hydro Premiership.
team, Ayr Knights ARLFC, play at Auchincruive.
Ayr Curling Club play at the curling rink in Limekiln Road and Ayr's cricket
team plays in Cambusdoon
, Burns Wicket.
Ayr only has one leisure centre, this being the Citadel, which opened in 1997, located at the mouth of the River Ayr and at the seafront at the South Harbour area. Its facilities include a main hall measuring 34 metre. This hall can accommodate various sports including 5-a-side football, basketball, volleyball, netball, indoor hockey, indoor cricket practise, badminton and short tennis. As well as individual sports, sporting events and competitions, the hall has hosted exhibitions, concerts, trade fairs, election counts and awards ceremonies. The Citadel is an expansion of the Ayr swimming pool, which opened in 1972. The Citadel features a Dance Studio approx 124 m² (148.3 sq yd). It is predominantly used for dance or exercise classes but also accommodates martial arts groups and drama workshops and two glass backed squash courts. The Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr is home to South Ayrshire Volleyball Club as well as being the town's only public swimming pool and diving pool. The leisure centre has squash courts, a gymnasium, dance studio, cafeteria and adjacent salons and youth club. The Citadel Leisure Centre is adjacent to the site of the old Ayr Citadel, a fort built to defend the old town. An Ayrshire basketball team, the Troon Tornadoes
, play their national league matches at the Citadel, despite not being an Ayr team. Additionally, Ayr has a Strathclyde league basketball team, Ayr Storm.
Ayr is also home to Scottish Bowling. The greens at Northfield host the SBA and SWBA finals each year as well as the Hamilton Trophy final.
Speedway
was staged at Dam Park in 1937, when two meetings, organised by Maurice and Roland Stobbart from Cumbria took place, featuring riders who raced in the north of England, at venues such as Workington
and Hyde Road in Manchester.
Ayr has a sandy beach with an esplanade
. This is very popular with joggers and day-trippers.
Whitletts Activity Centre also serves the town of Ayr. It has an 11-a side outdoor soccer pitch and an indoor 5-a-side football pitch. Near Whitletts Activity Centre there is also a 5-a-side football complex called "Goals".
Health Board serves South, East and North Ayrshire. Part of Ayrshire and Arran's departmental headquarters is based in Ayr. Ayr used to have four NHS hospitals: Heathfield Hospital (originally a fever hospital, but latterly medical and ophthalmic), Seafield
Hospital (children's), Ayr County (originally a voluntary hospital, and latterly confined to surgery) and Ailsa Hospital (psychiatric). It was then decided to build a hospital on the outskirts of Ayr called Ayr Hospital
. Ayr Hospital opened in 1993. All the current hospitals are on the same road, next to each other.
Ayr currently has three hospitals:
Further along the same road is Hollybush House, used by a charity for the mental health welfare of ex-members of the UK Armed Forces.
Ayr is the regional headquarters of the Scottish Ambulance Service
for south-west Scotland. It is located in Heathfield, next to the site of the old Heathfield Hospital, which has now been partly demolished.
in Île-de-France
since 1984.
Firth of Clyde
The Firth of Clyde forms a large area of coastal water, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by the Kintyre peninsula which encloses the outer firth in Argyll and Ayrshire, Scotland. The Kilbrannan Sound is a large arm of the Firth of Clyde, separating the Kintyre Peninsula from the Isle of Arran.At...
in south-west Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, of which it is the county town
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
, and has held royal burgh
Royal burgh
A royal burgh was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished in 1975, the term is still used in many of the former burghs....
status since 1205. Ayr is the administrative centre of the South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
council area
Subdivisions of Scotland
For local government purposes, Scotland is divided into 32 areas designated as "council areas" which are all governed by unitary authorities designated as "councils"...
, which is the unitary
Unitary authority
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national...
local authority.
To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of Prestwick
Prestwick
Prestwick is a town in South Ayrshire on the south-west coast of Scotland, about south-west of Glasgow. It adjoins the larger town of Ayr, the centre of which is about south...
, famous for its golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
and its aviation industry as home of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is an international airport serving the Greater Glasgow urban area, situated northeast of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire and 32 miles from the city centre of Glasgow....
. Other neighbouring settlements include Alloway
Alloway
Alloway is best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns, and as where he set his poem "Tam o' Shanter"....
, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
.
In 2002, Ayr was one of four Scottish towns competing for city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
status to mark Queen Elizabeth II's
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II was the international celebration marking the 50th anniversary of the accession of Elizabeth II to the thrones of seven countries, upon the death of her father, George VI, on 6 February 1952, and was intended by the Queen to be both a commemoration of her 50...
, losing out to Stirling
Stirling
Stirling is a city and former ancient burgh in Scotland, and is at the heart of the wider Stirling council area. The city is clustered around a large fortress and medieval old-town beside the River Forth...
.
History
On April 26, 1315, the first Parliament of ScotlandParliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
was held in Ayr by Robert The Bruce at St.John's Tower by the sea. It was once known as 'Inverair/Inverayr' and this usage is still retained in the Scottish Gaelic form of the name Inbhir Air.
Later, during Cromwellian
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
times, the town was used as a base and fortress for some of his men. Cromwell built a huge wall around certain areas of the town, most of which can still be seen today. St John's Tower, in that area, was originally part of a massive church, but the church was knocked down, and the tower was used to practice on, and is now protected by the "Friends Of Saint Johns Tower" (FROST) residents of the "Fort Area" nearby.
Governance
The Westminster constituency of Ayr, Carrick and CumnockAyr, Carrick and Cumnock (UK Parliament constituency)
Ayr, Carrick, and Cumnock is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was created for the 2005 general election from parts of the old Ayr and Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley constituencies....
is currently held by the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, the Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
being Sandra Osborne
Sandra Osborne
Sandra Currie Osborne is a Scottish Labour politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock since 2005. She was first elected in 1997, and resigned from a government job in 2003 over the Iraq War. She was a member of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee from 2005–10...
. From 1950 to 1997 the former Westminster constituency of Ayr
Ayr (UK Parliament constituency)
Ayr was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1950 to 2005. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.- History :...
was a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
seat. The Member of Parliament for most of this period was George Younger
George Younger, 4th Viscount Younger of Leckie
George Kenneth Hotson Younger, 4th Viscount Younger of Leckie KT KCVO TD PC was a British politician and banker....
, who represented the constituency from 1964 to 1992.
In the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
, Ayr
Ayr (Scottish Parliament constituency)
Ayr is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament . It elects one Member of the Scottish Parliament by the plurality method of election...
still exists as a constituency and has been represented by Conservative MSP John Scott
John Scott (Scottish politician)
John Scott is a Scottish farmer and politician, and is a Conservative Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ayr.Born in Girvan, he has been MSP for Ayr since winning it in a by-election in 2000. He was returned in the 2003 parliamentary election and again, with an increased majority, in the 2007...
since 2000.
Geography and climate
Ayr is a coastal town which lies on the mouth of the River AyrRiver Ayr
The River Ayr , longest river in what was the old county of Ayrshire of Scotland, is approximately 65 kilometres in length. It originates at Glenbuck Loch in East Ayrshire on the border of Lanarkshire and winds its way through East and South Ayrshire to the town of Ayr, where it empties into the...
. The river then flows out onto the larger Firth of Clyde. From the coast Arran can be seen and on a very clear day, the north tip of Northern Ireland. It is within the region of Strathclyde. Much of the land in and around this area is very flat and low lying. Much of the land however towards the south of Ayr is higher than most areas in the county of Ayrshire. Ayr lies approximately 35 miles southwest of Glasgow.
Climate
The nearest official Met Office weather station to Ayr is Auchincruive, about 2.4 miles to the West of Ayr town centre.The area experiences very cool summers and somewhat warm winters. The air is cooler during the summer due to its proximity to the sea as water has a major cooling effect on summer temperatures. During the winter months the reverse happens and the sea air
Sea air
The air at or by the sea is traditionally thought to be healthy. This was variously attributed to iodine or ozone but its cleanliness or salt may be more significant....
has a major warming effect on the climate. The area rarely ever sees extremes due to the effects of sea air. Rainfall is generally plentiful throughout the year due to Atlantic weather systems sweeping in from the west. Compared with the rest of Scotland, the area rarely ever sees much mist and fog
Fog
Fog is a collection of water droplets or ice crystals suspended in the air at or near the Earth's surface. While fog is a type of stratus cloud, the term "fog" is typically distinguished from the more generic term "cloud" in that fog is low-lying, and the moisture in the fog is often generated...
. This is because the land is relatively flat and low lying and with the wind blowing across the flatter land, this generally hinders fog from developing widely. This has made Glasgow Prestwick International Airport particularly well known as one of the less fog-prone airports in Scotland. Snowfall is rare in this part of Scotland because of the mild sea air.
Areas
- AllowayAllowayAlloway is best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns, and as where he set his poem "Tam o' Shanter"....
- BelmontBelmont, AyrBelmont is an area within the south of the town of Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland, UK....
- Castlehill
- Craigie
- Dalmilling
- DoonfootDoonfootDoonfoot is a part of the town of Ayr in south-west Scotland.In 2008 there were many new houses built in Doonfoot, expanding the population substantially.Doonfoot contains a primary school, a play park, and a local convenience shop...
- ForehillForehillForehill is a district of Ayr in South Ayrshire. Forehill can be reached by the Ayr by-pass on the A77.- External links :* - About Ayr, South Ayrshire Council website information about Ayr...
- Greenan
- Heathfield
- Holmston
- KincaidstonKincaidstonKincaidston is a council housing estate in the town of Ayr in south-west Scotland. The estate was built in the 1970s, some of the streets are named after flowers for example, Iris Court and Honeysuckle Park and Speedwell Square, whilst Kincaidston Drive is the main road which runs right around the...
- Laigh Glengall
- Marchburn
- Masonhill
- Newton-On-Ayr
- New Prestwick
- SeafieldSeafield, AyrSeafield is a southern district of Ayr, Scotland. The district is a popular retirement place with scenic views overlooking Ayr beach. The area is also home to the old racecourse of Ayr which is now used for golfing....
- Wallacetoun
- Whitletts
- White City
- Woodfield
- Lochside
Economy
Ayr's industry has flourished over the years mainly because of the River Ayr. Ships that were built on the mouth of the River Ayr in the eighteenth century improved Ayr's economy. From 1883 to 1901, 143 ships and barges were built on the Ayr by Samuel B Knight and the Ailsa Shipbuilding CompanyAilsa Shipbuilding Company
-History:The company was founded in 1885 by the 3rd Marquess of Ailsa.In 1902 the Ailsa yard fitted out the polar exploration ship Scotia for the Scottish National Antarctic Expedition of 1902-04...
. Repair work on the Ayr ceased in 1960 when Ailsa moved its operations to Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
.
The North side of Ayr Harbour still operates as a commercial port today, mainly exporting coal, and extensive railway sidings still lead down from the main railway line near Newton-on-Ayr station.
In addition, the River Ayr and River Doon
River Doon
The River Doon is a river in South Ayrshire, Scotland. The river flows 23 miles from Loch Doon, joining the Firth of Clyde just south of Ayr. Its course is generally north-westerly, passing near to the town of Dalmellington, and through the villages of Patna, Dalrymple, and Alloway, birthplace...
were used for the fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
of whitefish
Freshwater whitefish
The freshwater whitefish are fish of the subfamily Coregoninae in the salmon family Salmonidae. Along with the freshwater whitefish, the Salmonidae includes the freshwater and anadromous trout and salmon species as well as graylings...
and salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
. These were then exported from Ayr Harbour.
Manufacturing of textiles such as carpets and lining was important to Ayr's economy until the factories closed in the 1970s. This caused mass unemployment in Ayr. Many of the old factories are still standing and can be seen on McCalls Avenue and Walker Road in Lochside, North Ayr, though many are derelict and unsafe. There was a large factory engaged in the production of fertilisers and other agricultural products. This has since closed, but parts of the old complex are sublet by local businesses.
Ayr has always been a hub for shopping in South Scotland with the first department store, Hourstons, opening in 1896. In the 1970s, Ayr flourished further with the opening of further stores including Marks and Spencers and Ayr's first shopping centre, the Kyle Centre (1988). Heathfield Retail park, an out-of-city retail park, opened in 1993 with shops such as Halfords
Halfords
Halfords Group plc is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic and more recently in Poland, although it is currently pulling out of the latter two countries...
and Homebase
Homebase
Homebase is a British home improvement store and garden centre, with 350 stores across the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It is well known by its green and orange colour scheme. Together with its sister company Argos , it forms part of Home Retail Group. Homebase recorded sales figures...
. Ayr Central Shopping Centre opened in March 2006 with shops such as Debenhams
Debenhams
Debenhams plc is a British retailer operating under a department store format in the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and franchise stores in other countries. The Company was founded in the eighteenth century as a single store in London and has now grown to around 160 shops...
and H&M
H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
and underparking for 500 cars.
During the 19th and 20th centuries Ayr became a popular holiday resort. This was due to its fine sandy beach and its popularity was increased by the building of the rail link to Glasgow in 1840.
Transport
Ayr has three main roads serving the town:- A79A79 roadThe A79 road is a major road in Scotland, United Kingdom. It runs through Prestwick and Ayr, it is about long, making it the second shortest 2 digit road in the UK.The A79 has also given its name to a song by the Prestwick band 'The KKP'....
— main road running through Ayr and linking Ayr with Prestwick and its airport. - A77A77 roadThe A77 road is a major road in Scotland. It runs in a southwesternly direction from the city of Glasgow, past the towns of Giffnock, Newton Mearns, Kilmarnock, Prestwick, Ayr, Maybole, Girvan and Stranraer to the town of Portpatrick on the Irish Sea...
(M77) — Ayr by-pass stretching from GlasgowGlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
to StranraerStranraerStranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
. It was built in 1971. - A70A70 roadThe A70 road is a major road in Scotland, United Kingdom. It runs a total of from Edinburgh to Ayr. It begins in Gorgie, Edinburgh, as Ardmillan Terrace from a junction with the A71 and ends as Holmston Road in Ayr going by but not through Lanark...
— running from Ayr to EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
Ayr railway station
Ayr railway station
Ayr railway station serves the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is situated in Smith Street, off Burns Statue Square. The station, which is managed by First ScotRail, is on the Ayrshire Coast Line, south-west of Glasgow Central railway station....
has services to Glasgow Central station with a half-hourly service except on Sundays. There are regular services to Stranraer
Stranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
, Girvan
Girvan
Girvan is a burgh in Carrick, South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of about 8000 people. Originally a fishing port, it is now also a seaside resort with beaches and cliffs. Girvan dates back to 1668 when is became a municipal burgh incorporated by by charter...
, Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock is a large burgh in East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a population of 44,734. It is the second largest town in Ayrshire. The River Irvine runs through its eastern section, and the Kilmarnock Water passes through it, giving rise to the name 'Bank Street'...
and Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. These services are operated by SPT
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport is a public body which is responsible for planning and co-ordinating regional transport, and especially the public transport system, in the Strathclyde area of western Scotland...
/First ScotRail
First ScotRail
ScotRail Railways Ltd. is the FirstGroup-owned train operating company running domestic passenger trains within Scotland, northern England and the cross-border Caledonian Sleeper service to London using the brand ScotRail which is the property of the Scottish Government...
.
The town has air links to European cities from Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is an international airport serving the Greater Glasgow urban area, situated northeast of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire and 32 miles from the city centre of Glasgow....
just 2 miles from Ayr. Further destinations are available from Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport may refer to:*Glasgow International Airport, in Renfrewshire, the primary airport serving Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.*Glasgow Airport , also known as Wokal Field, in Glasgow, Montana, United States.It may also refer to:...
, which is 35 miles away.
The town also has bus connections serving all of the town and Prestwick. These services are operated by Stagecoach West Scotland
Stagecoach West Scotland
Stagecoach West Scotland is an operating region of Stagecoach UK Bus, comprising Western Buses Ltd and Stagecoach Glasgow Ltd, based in Ayr, Scotland.-Operation:...
. The town has eight local services. There are express coaches to Glasgow Buchanan Street every 30–60 minutes. Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus
Ulsterbus is a public transport operator in Northern Ireland and operates bus services outside Belfast. It is part of Translink , which also includes Northern Ireland Railways, Metro Belfast and Flexibus.-Services:Ulsterbus is responsible for most of the province-wide bus...
operate bus services to Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
via Stranraer Ferry service on Stena Line
Stena Line
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators, with ferry services serving Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Norway, England, Wales, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Stena Line is a major unit of Stena AB, itself a part of the Stena Sphere, a grouping of Stena AB,...
.
Although the town does not have any ferry services from its harbour, it has good access to ferry services mainly to Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
, 5 miles north of Ayr, has a seasonal service to Larne
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
onboard P&O
P&O Ferries
P&O Ferries is the current name for the amalgamation of a range of ferry services that operated from the United Kingdom to Ireland and Continental Europe...
. Troon can also be reached by train with trains every 30 minutes, or by bus. Stranraer
Stranraer
Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland. It lies in the west of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire.Stranraer lies on the shores of Loch Ryan on the northern side of the isthmus joining the Rhins of Galloway to the mainland...
, 60 miles south of Ayr, has up to eight daily departures to Belfast.
Religion
In the early years of the burgh, Ayr's parish church was St John the Baptist. Today, Ayr has many churches of different denominations.The Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
is the main denomination in Ayr, with nine churches spread throughout the town. The Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
has two churches, and the Diocese of Galloway
Diocese of Galloway
The Diocese of Galloway was one of the thirteen dioceses of the pre-1689 Scottish Church. The Diocese was led by the Bishop of Galloway and was centred on Whithorn Cathedral....
Cathedral is in Ayr, St. Margaret's Cathedral. Previously there were three Roman Catholic churches. However, the Good Shepherd Cathedral
Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr
The Good Shepherd Cathedral in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland was the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Galloway Diocese.- History :The Church of the Good Shepherd was opened in 1957, to serve the communities of Whitletts, Dalmilling, Lochside and Braehead areas of Ayr. Before the church was...
closed in 2007. Baptist Church
Baptist Union of Scotland
The Baptist Union of Scotland is the main denomination of Baptist churches in Scotland.-From the 1650s to 1869:Baptists first arrived in Scotland with the armies of English republican Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, who established small churches in Leith, Perth, Cupar, Ayr and Aberdeen, but they did...
has one church located in Ayr i.e. Ayr Baptist. Riverside Church is a popular and modern evangelical church
Evangelical Church
The term Evangelical Church may refer specifically to:* Slovak Evangelical Church* Armenian Evangelical Church* Assyrian Evangelical Church* Christian Evangelical Church of Romania* Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus...
with Brethren
Brethren
Brethren is a name adopted by several Protestant Christian bodies which do not necessarily share historical roots. As classified in The Pilgrim Church by EH Broadbent, the earliest primitive churches to Paulician Brethren, to Bogomil Brethren, to Anabaptist and to Moravian Brethren were historical...
roots, located in John Street in Ayr. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a church located in Ayr, at Orchard Ave and Mossgiel Rd.
Demography
| Ayr compared | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Census 2001 United Kingdom Census 2001 A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194.... |
Ayr | Ayr & Prestwick | Scotland |
| Total population | 46,431 | 61,365 | 5,062,011 |
| Population growth 1991–2001 | |||
| 1.3% | |||
| White | 95.9% | 97.2% | 98.8% |
| Under 16 years old | 17.2% | 17.4% | 19.2% |
| Over 65 years old | 20.4% | 20.5% | 16.0% |
| Christian | 69.6% | 70.1% | 65.1% |
| No Religion | 23.9% | 23.8% | 27.6% |
At the United Kingdom Census 2001
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, Ayr had a population of 46,431, a fall of -3.2% on 1991. Mid-2008 population estimates placed the total resident population at 46,070 making Ayr the 12th largest urban area in Scotland.
Nearly 0.36% (167) people in the town can speak Scottish Gaelic, although South Ayrshire Council provides no educational support for the language.
Primary
Ayr is served by 15 primary schools:
|
St. John's Primary School, Ayr - The history :The school dates back for over a half a century. There used to be huts where students would be taught and the outside toilets' outlines can still be seen on the walls. It was back then called St Margaret, before Queen Margaret Academy was built. It was then burnt down but then... |
Secondary
| School | School Roll | Opened | Area Served | Notes |
| Ayr Academy Ayr Academy Ayr Academy is a non-denominational secondary school situated in the centre of the town of Ayr in South Ayrshire. It is a comprehensive school for children from the ages of 11 to 18 from Ayr. Ayr Academy's catchment area covers Newton-on-Ayr, Whitletts and the outlying villages of Coylton, Annbank,... |
715 | 1880 (current building) | North Ayr | Scotland's oldest secondary school |
| Belmont Academy Belmont Academy Belmont Academy is the largest secondary school in Ayr, and the 6th largest in Scotland. The Academy is inter-faith and state-run by South Ayrshire Council. In 2008 the school transferred from the old 48-year-old campus into a brand new building, which was opened to pupils in August... |
1550 | 1960 (new campus opened in 2008) | South Ayr | 6th largest school in Scotland |
| Kyle Academy Kyle Academy Kyle Academy is a state-run secondary school in Ayr, Scotland, run by South Ayrshire Council. It is a non-denominational, co-educational school, serving some of the southern part of Ayr.-History:... |
760 | 1979 | South Ayr | |
| Queen Margaret Academy Queen Margaret Academy Queen Margaret Academy is a Roman Catholic secondary school in the south of Ayr in southwest Scotland. Queen Margaret is state-run by South Ayrshire Council and takes children aged 11 to 18 from the whole of South Ayrshire and parts of East Ayrshire.The original St Margaret's school was founded in... |
662 | 1977 | Roman Catholic pupils in South Ayrshire | Only Roman Catholic school in South Ayrshire |
| Prestwick Academy Prestwick Academy Prestwick Academy is a state secondary school serving the area of Prestwick, South Ayrshire in Scotland. The school is non-denominational and has a capacity of 1400. Its motto is Per Vias Rectas, Latin for By Straight Paths.- History :... |
1200 | 1902 | Prestwick Prestwick Prestwick is a town in South Ayrshire on the south-west coast of Scotland, about south-west of Glasgow. It adjoins the larger town of Ayr, the centre of which is about south... , North Ayr, Symington Symington, South Ayrshire Symington is a conservation village in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located in Symington Parish, covering 0.41sq Km, and lies close to the A77 road from Ayr to Glasgow... and Monkton Monkton, Ayrshire Monkton is a small village in the Parish of Monkton and Prestwick in South Ayrshire, Scotland.The nearest town is Prestwick and the settlement borders upon Glasgow Prestwick Airport.- History :The village was originally known as Prestwick Monachorum.... |
On 24 November 2006, it was revealed that Mainholm Academy would be closed permanently for safety reasons. Pupils have been relocated to Ayr, Kyle, Belmont, and Queen Margaret academies.
Pupils living in North Ayr may happen to attend Prestwick Academy
Prestwick Academy
Prestwick Academy is a state secondary school serving the area of Prestwick, South Ayrshire in Scotland. The school is non-denominational and has a capacity of 1400. Its motto is Per Vias Rectas, Latin for By Straight Paths.- History :...
instead of Ayr's secondaries.
Wellington School is an independent day school in the Seafield area of Ayr. The school opened in 1836 providing private education for girls. As of 1994, Wellington has welcomed male and female pupils after Drumley House school (Mossblown) was incorporated into Wellington. It is the only independent school in Ayrshire.
Universities and colleges
Ayr CollegeAyr College
Ayr College is a community college in Ayr, Scotland, situated on the banks of the River Ayr, Dam Park.-Courses 2008/09 :Ayr College offer a range of courses in various curriculum areas including:* Access to Further & Higher Education* Social Sciences...
, formerly named Ayr Technical College provides further and higher education courses to the people of Ayrshire and beyond. SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is a non-departmental public body responsible for accreditation and awarding. It is partly funded by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate of the Scottish Government, employing 750 staff, based in Glasgow and Dalkeith...
courses are available in a large variety of areas such as Mathematics and Computing, Social Sciences and practical subjects. Another organisation that provides further and higher education courses is the Scottish Agricultural College
Scottish Agricultural College
The Scottish Agricultural College exists to support the development of land-based industries and communities through Higher Education and training, specialist research and development and advisory and consultancy services....
based two miles outside of Ayr in Auchincruive
Auchincruive
Auchincruive is a former country house and estate in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is located east of Ayr, on the north bank of the River Ayr. Auchincruive House was built in the 18th century on the site of an earlier mansion. In 1927 the estate became the West of Scotland College of Agriculture,...
.
Ayr has two university campuses:
- University Campus Ayr is part of the University of the West of Scotland. This campus provides courses in Creative and Cultural Industries (Music, Performance, Filmmaking, Screenwriting, Digital Art), Education, Nursing and Midwifery, and Business.
- Auchincruive is part of the Scottish Agricultural CollegeScottish Agricultural CollegeThe Scottish Agricultural College exists to support the development of land-based industries and communities through Higher Education and training, specialist research and development and advisory and consultancy services....
. This campus provides degree courses awarded by The University of Glasgow in Agriculture, the Environment, Leisure Management, Adventure Tourism, Horticulture, Countryside Management, and Bioscience among others.
Situated on riverside site of the Craigie Estate, a new £70m campus brings together facilities for UWS and the Scottish Agricultural College. Construction was finished and the campus opened in August 2011.
Culture and community
To the north of Ayr is the adjoining town of PrestwickPrestwick
Prestwick is a town in South Ayrshire on the south-west coast of Scotland, about south-west of Glasgow. It adjoins the larger town of Ayr, the centre of which is about south...
, which is famous for its golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
and its aviation industry thanks to the presence of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick International Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport is an international airport serving the Greater Glasgow urban area, situated northeast of the town of Prestwick in South Ayrshire and 32 miles from the city centre of Glasgow....
. Only 5 miles north of Ayr is Troon
Troon
Troon is a town in South Ayrshire. It is situated on the west coast of Scotland, about eight miles north of Ayr and three miles northwest of Glasgow Prestwick International Airport. Lying across the Firth of Clyde, the Isle of Arran can be seen. Troon is also a port with freight and ferry services...
, also famous for its golf and for hosting the Open Championship. Ayr has three golf courses in Bellisle, Seafield and Dalmilling, as well as a private one called St Cuthberts.
Several scenes for the 2007 TV movie The Donald Gray Show were filmed in and around the town.
Other neighbouring places include Alloway
Alloway
Alloway is best known as the birthplace of Robert Burns, and as where he set his poem "Tam o' Shanter"....
, known for its associations with the poet Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
. To the south is Craig Tara
Heads of Ayr (Holiday Camp)
The Heads of Ayr Holiday Camp is a holiday camp located near Ayr in South Ayrshire, Scotland. It is currently run by Haven Holidays. When originally opened in 1946, it was named Butlins Ayr, but in 1987 was renamed Wonderwest World...
, a Haven (formerly Butlins
Butlins
Butlins is a chain of large holiday camps in the United Kingdom. Butlins was founded by Billy Butlin to provide affordable holidays for ordinary British families....
) holiday park, and the fishing village of Dunure
Dunure
Dunure is a small village in the South Ayrshire area of Scotland. Located on the coast of the Firth of Clyde, Dunure is near to Maybole.-The villages:...
, where there is a ruined castle formerly owned by the Kennedy
Clan Kennedy
Clan Kennedy is a Scottish clan and an Irish surname.-Origins:The Kennedys had their home territory in Carrick in Ayrshire, in southwestern Scotland. Originally they were of Pictish/Norse stock from the Western Isles. In the fifteenth century, one Ulric Kennedy fled Ayrshire to Lochaber in the...
family. Ayr is twinned with Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
Ayr has four libraries plus a mobile library. The main library in Ayr and South Ayrshire is the Carnegie Library beside the River Ayr. The other libraries are:
- Alloway Library
- Carnegie Library
- Forehill Library
- John Pollok Library
North Ayr also has connections for Prestwick Library.
Horse Racing
Ayr RacecourseAyr Racecourse
Ayr Racecourse at Whitletts Road, Ayr, Scotland, was opened on 1907. The track is a left-handed, oval track, thirteen furlongs in circumference, with a straight run-in of half a mile. There are courses for flat and for National Hunt racing...
is a well-known racecourse in Scotland and hosts both National Hunt
National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
and flat racing
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
. It has the largest capacity in Scotland for horse racing. Notable events include the Scottish Grand National (April) and Ayr Gold Cup (September) as well as several night meetings. It was recently put up for sale by the owners and included the Western House Hotel as part of the potential sale.
Football
Ayr has a senior footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team, Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
, who play at Somerset Park
Somerset Park
Somerset Park is a football stadium located in Ayr, South Ayrshire, Scotland.It has been the home of Ayr United since they were founded in 1910. Prior to that, it was the home ground of Ayr F.C.. It currently has a capacity of 10,185 of which 1,597 is seated, making it one of the largest capacity...
in Division 1
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
after gaining promotion in May 2011. They reached the final of the 2001-2002 Scottish League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
competition. The club was formed in 1910 with the merger of Ayr F.C.
Ayr F.C.
Ayr F.C. was a Scottish Football League club from Ayr, Scotland. They were formed in 1879 by a merger of the Ayr Thistle and Ayr Academical football clubs. Their initial home ground was Springvale Park, which they left in 1884 to play home fixtures at Beresford Park, which they in turn left in 1888...
(who were formed in 1879 by the merger of Ayr Thistle and Ayr Academical football clubs) and Ayr Parkhouse F.C.
Ayr Parkhouse F.C.
Ayr Parkhouse Football Club were a football club from the town of Ayr in Scotland. The club was a member of the Scottish Football League until 1910, when they merged with neighbours Ayr F.C. to form Ayr United.- History :...
.
Whitletts Victoria F.C.
Whitletts Victoria F.C.
Whitletts Victoria Football Club is a Scottish football club, historically based in the Whitletts area of Ayr, South Ayrshire. Nicknamed Vics, they were formed in 1944, and currently play at Dam Park, near Ayr town centre...
are a Junior side from the Whitletts area of Ayr.
Rugby Union
Ayr's rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
team, Ayr RFC
Ayr RFC
Ayr Rugby Football Club are a rugby union side, currently playing in the Premiership Division One.The team are based in Ayr in Scotland, and they play at Millbrae, Alloway.-Millbrae:...
, play at Millbrae and are reigning Scottish Cup Champions, and won the 2008/09 Scottish Hydro Premiership.
Other sports
A rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
team, Ayr Knights ARLFC, play at Auchincruive.
Ayr Curling Club play at the curling rink in Limekiln Road and Ayr's cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
team plays in Cambusdoon
Cambusdoon
Cambusdoon was a cricket ground in Ayr, Scotland. The first recorded match held on the ground was also the grounds first first-class match when Scotland played against Ireland in 1958. A further first-class match was played there when Scotland played Ireland in 1974. The ground held its final...
, Burns Wicket.
Ayr only has one leisure centre, this being the Citadel, which opened in 1997, located at the mouth of the River Ayr and at the seafront at the South Harbour area. Its facilities include a main hall measuring 34 metre. This hall can accommodate various sports including 5-a-side football, basketball, volleyball, netball, indoor hockey, indoor cricket practise, badminton and short tennis. As well as individual sports, sporting events and competitions, the hall has hosted exhibitions, concerts, trade fairs, election counts and awards ceremonies. The Citadel is an expansion of the Ayr swimming pool, which opened in 1972. The Citadel features a Dance Studio approx 124 m² (148.3 sq yd). It is predominantly used for dance or exercise classes but also accommodates martial arts groups and drama workshops and two glass backed squash courts. The Citadel Leisure Centre in Ayr is home to South Ayrshire Volleyball Club as well as being the town's only public swimming pool and diving pool. The leisure centre has squash courts, a gymnasium, dance studio, cafeteria and adjacent salons and youth club. The Citadel Leisure Centre is adjacent to the site of the old Ayr Citadel, a fort built to defend the old town. An Ayrshire basketball team, the Troon Tornadoes
Troon Tornadoes
The Troon Tornadoes are one of Scotland's leading amateur basketball clubs, competing in the Scottish Men's National League. They are based in the town of Troon, South Ayrshire, but their Senior Men national league side play out of the main sports hall at the Citadel Leisure Centre, Ayr...
, play their national league matches at the Citadel, despite not being an Ayr team. Additionally, Ayr has a Strathclyde league basketball team, Ayr Storm.
Ayr is also home to Scottish Bowling. The greens at Northfield host the SBA and SWBA finals each year as well as the Hamilton Trophy final.
Motorcycle speedway
Motorcycle speedway, usually referred to as speedway, is a motorcycle sport involving four and sometimes up to six riders competing over four anti-clockwise laps of an oval circuit. Speedway motorcycles use only one gear and have no brakes and racing takes place on a flat oval track usually...
was staged at Dam Park in 1937, when two meetings, organised by Maurice and Roland Stobbart from Cumbria took place, featuring riders who raced in the north of England, at venues such as Workington
Derwent Park
Derwent Park is a multi-purpose stadium in Workington, England situated beside the Cumbrian River Derwent. It is used mostly for rugby league matches and is the home stadium of Workington Town who play in Championship 1, the third tier domestic competition in the United Kingdom...
and Hyde Road in Manchester.
Ayr has a sandy beach with an esplanade
Esplanade
An esplanade is a long, open, level area, usually next to a river or large body of water, where people may walk. The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns...
. This is very popular with joggers and day-trippers.
Whitletts Activity Centre also serves the town of Ayr. It has an 11-a side outdoor soccer pitch and an indoor 5-a-side football pitch. Near Whitletts Activity Centre there is also a 5-a-side football complex called "Goals".
Public services
The NHS Ayrshire and ArranNHS Ayrshire and Arran
NHS Ayrshire and Arran is one of the fourteen regions of NHS Scotland. It was formed on 1 April 2004.-Hospitals:*List of hospitals in Scotland...
Health Board serves South, East and North Ayrshire. Part of Ayrshire and Arran's departmental headquarters is based in Ayr. Ayr used to have four NHS hospitals: Heathfield Hospital (originally a fever hospital, but latterly medical and ophthalmic), Seafield
Seafield, Ayr
Seafield is a southern district of Ayr, Scotland. The district is a popular retirement place with scenic views overlooking Ayr beach. The area is also home to the old racecourse of Ayr which is now used for golfing....
Hospital (children's), Ayr County (originally a voluntary hospital, and latterly confined to surgery) and Ailsa Hospital (psychiatric). It was then decided to build a hospital on the outskirts of Ayr called Ayr Hospital
Ayr Hospital
Ayr Hospital is a General Hospital on the outskirts of Ayr, Scotland. The hospital opened in 1991 following the closure of three Ayr hospitals: Heathfield , Seafield and Ayr County . The Hospital was built next to the psychiatric hospital, Ailsa Hospital. Ayr hospital is operated by NHS Ayrshire...
. Ayr Hospital opened in 1993. All the current hospitals are on the same road, next to each other.
Ayr currently has three hospitals:
- Ayr HospitalAyr HospitalAyr Hospital is a General Hospital on the outskirts of Ayr, Scotland. The hospital opened in 1991 following the closure of three Ayr hospitals: Heathfield , Seafield and Ayr County . The Hospital was built next to the psychiatric hospital, Ailsa Hospital. Ayr hospital is operated by NHS Ayrshire...
- Acute hospital with A&E - Ailsa Hospital - mental health hospital
- The Abbey Carrick Glen Hospital - private hospital
Further along the same road is Hollybush House, used by a charity for the mental health welfare of ex-members of the UK Armed Forces.
Ayr is the regional headquarters of the Scottish Ambulance Service
Scottish Ambulance Service
The Scottish Ambulance Service is part of NHS Scotland, and serves all of Scotland. It is a Special Health Board funded directly by the Scottish Government Health Department....
for south-west Scotland. It is located in Heathfield, next to the site of the old Heathfield Hospital, which has now been partly demolished.
Notable people
- William D. Brackenridge, (1810–1893), born in Ayr, botanist
- Robert BurnsRobert BurnsRobert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
, (1759–1796), Scotland's national bard, poet and writer of songs; born in Alloway - Gavin GordonGavin Gordon (composer)Gavin Gordon was a Scottish bass singer, actor and composer, best known for his 1935 Hogarthian ballet The Rake's Progress.-Biography:Gavin Gordon was born in Ayr, Scotland in 1901, as Gavin Muspratt Gordon Brown...
, (1901-1970), composer and singer - Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi, born 1930 as Ian Dallas
- Rikki ChamberlainRikki ChamberlainRikki David James Chamberlain is a British actor best known for playing Samson in CITV's Captain Mack...
, actor - William DalrympleWilliam Dalrymple (moderator)William Dalrymple D.D. was a Scottish religious writer, minister and moderator of the Church of Scotland. He is remembered in a poem by Robert Burns.-Biography:...
, (1723–1814) minister and moderator - Sydney DevineSydney DevineSydney Devine is Scotland's very own rhinestone cowboy, a singer whose career began with a television appearance in 1953 at the age of thirteen, developed during eight years touring with the White Heather Group...
, singer - Karen DunbarKaren DunbarKaren Dunbar is a Scottish comedienne and entertainer.-Early life:She first came to the attention of mainstream audiences in the BBC Scotland comedy series Chewin' the Fat and subsequently was given her own show by the channel, The Karen Dunbar Show.Prior to mainstream success, Karen, an out...
, comedian - Drew McIntyre (Drew Galloway), wrestler for WWE
- Kirsty HumeKirsty HumeKirsty Hume is a Scottish model who came to prominence in the fashion world in the 1990s. A columnist likened her appearance to a Botticelli angel....
, model and face of ChanelChanelChanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France... - William MaclureWilliam MaclureWilliam Maclure, American - British social experimenter on new types of community life together with British social reformer Robert Owen, , in Indiana State, U. S. A....
, (1763–1840), born in Ayr, noted geologist, drew the first geological map of the United States and was a president of the American Geological Society - Rhona MartinRhona MartinRhona Martin MBE is a Scottish curler who has skipped the Scotland women's team at both the European and World Championships, but is most famous as the skip of the Great Britain team that claimed the gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games in 2002.-Early career:For a long time best known in...
, skip of the OlympicWinter Olympic GamesThe Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating...
gold curlingCurlingCurling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a...
team - John Loudon McAdamJohn Loudon McAdamJohn Loudon McAdam was a Scottish engineer and road-builder. He invented a new process, "macadamisation", for building roads with a smooth hard surface that would be more durable and less muddy than soil-based tracks....
, (1756–1836), inventor of Tarmacadam road surface - Alan McInallyAlan McInallyAlan Bruce McInally is a former professional footballer in Scotland, England and Germany. Since retiring from football, he is best known for his work at Sky Sports as a football analyst.-Early life:...
, former footballer and now TV pundit - Thomas McIlwraithThomas McIlwraithSir Thomas McIlwraith KCMG was for many years the dominant figure of colonial politics in Queensland. He was Premier of Queensland from 1877 to 1883, again in 1888, and for a third time in 1893...
, 19th century Premier of Queensland, Australia - Lee McKenzieLee McKenzieLee McKenzie is a reporter for BBC's Formula One coverage. McKenzie is also a presenter for Sky Sports and Sky Sports News. McKenzie is the daughter of Bob McKenzie, the well known sport and motorsport journalist....
, BBC Formula 1 pit lane reporter - Glen MichaelGlen MichaelGlen Michael is a former children's television presenter and an entertainer. His career at Scottish Television spanned several decades with the popular show Glen Michael's Cartoon Cavalcade...
, children's TV presenter, Cartoon Cavalcade, often attends Ayr United matches - Stuart MurdochStuart Murdoch (musician)Stuart Lee Murdoch is a Scottish musician, and the lead singer and songwriter for the indie pop band Belle & Sebastian. The majority of his childhood was spent a stone's throw from the birthplace of Robert Burns in Alloway, Ayr until he left school and attended university in...
, singer-songwriter, Belle & SebastianBelle & SebastianBelle and Sebastian are an indie pop band formed in Glasgow in January 1996. Belle and Sebastian are often compared with influential indie bands such as The Smiths, as well as classic acts such as Love, Bob Dylan and Nick Drake. The name Belle & Sebastian comes from Belle et Sébastien, a 1965... - Sir David Murray, former Rangers F.C. chairman
- Simon NeilSimon NeilSimon Alexander Neil is a Scottish vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, known for his work in the bands Biffy Clyro and Marmaduke Duke.-Biffy Clyro:...
, guitarist and lead singer of Biffy ClyroBiffy ClyroBiffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston... - Neil OliverNeil OliverNeil Oliver is a Scottish broadcaster and author. He grew up in Ayr and Dumfries before attending Glasgow University to study archaeology...
, BBC presenter of CoastCoastA coastline or seashore is the area where land meets the sea or ocean. A precise line that can be called a coastline cannot be determined due to the dynamic nature of tides. The term "coastal zone" can be used instead, which is a spatial zone where interaction of the sea and land processes occurs...
and A History of ScotlandA History of ScotlandPresented by Neil Oliver, A History of Scotland is a television series first broadcast in November 2008 on BBC One Scotland and later shown UK-wide on BBC Two during January 2009.... - Alan Reid, MP for the Liberal DemocratsLiberal DemocratsThe Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
- Mike ScottMike Scott (musician)Michael 'Mike' Scott is the founding member, lead singer and chief songwriter of rock band The Waterboys. He has also produced two solo albums, Bring 'em All In and Still Burning...
, Lead Singer/Songwriter of The WaterboysThe WaterboysThe Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a... - Sir John Wallace of Craigie, Sheriff of Ayr and hero of the Battle of SarkBattle of SarkThe Battle of Sark was fought between England and Scotland in October 1448. A large battle, it was the first significant Scottish victory over the English in over half a century, following the Battle of Otterburn of 1388...
- Stephen Jnr Miller, Author of many bookings about Spelling, Punctuation and Mathematics. Also noted as being a Mason.
Twinning arrangement
Ayr has been twinned with Saint-Germain-en-LayeSaint-Germain-en-Laye
Saint-Germain-en-Laye is a commune in the Yvelines department in the Île-de-France in north-central France. It is located in the western suburbs of Paris from the centre.Inhabitants are called Saint-Germanois...
in Île-de-France
Île-de-France (région)
Île-de-France is the wealthiest and most populated of the twenty-two administrative regions of France, composed mostly of the Paris metropolitan area....
since 1984.
Further reading
- Close, R (2005) Ayr A History & Celebration
- Kennedy, R&J (1992) Old Ayr
- Love, D (2003) Ayr Past and Present
- Love, D (2000) Ayr Stories
- Love, D (1995) Pictorial History of Ayr
- Reid, D & Andrew K (2001) Ayr Remembered
External links
- About Ayr - About Ayr, South Ayrshire Council website information about Ayr
- http://www.ayrtime.org - About Ayrtime - Ayr's Free Live Culture.
- Ayrshire Philharmonic Opera Society - An amateur theatre company based in Ayr that performs operettas and musicals
- The Town of Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland - description and photographs
- Candidates and Constituency Assessments - some information on the political history of the constituency
- Labour's History in the Town of Ayr - article on Labour History by Sandra Osborne MP
- Activ Ayr - online directory of Ayr and Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire Council - South Ayrshire Council's website contains comprehensive information about the services provided by the Council
- National Library of Scotland: SCOTTISH SCREEN ARCHIVE (1937 archive film about the attractions of Ayr)