Save money on your hotel accomodation by booking over 3 weeks in advance and you may bag a cheap hotel room that sleeps 4 people at the Travelodge Ayr, which is situated a couple of miles from Ayr railway station. For a more central location, I purchased a single room for 25 uk pounds sterling on expedia staying at the Indy Guest House. It is situated near the beach and the owner gave me a free upgrade to a double room. A hearty full english breakfast was also provided. South Ayrshire is a beautiful place to explore and if hiring a car, save more money by booking with enterprise who are based in Ayr and not at the Airport. However, they collect you and drop you off for free! Prestwick International Airport is also on the Glasgow South Western line, which extends from Glasgow to Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, where you can get a ferry crossing to Ireland on Stena Line or P&O ferries. Ayr is also only 2 stops down the railway line from Prestwick International Airport.

Ayr has a population of around 48,000 inhabitants and the Local Government Administration for South Ayrshire Council is housed in the impressive County Building near the sea front. Ayr has a beautiful beach and is also set on the river firth. It has a multi screen cinema, a horse racing track, plenty of pubs and the best indian food I have tasted at the rupee rooms on burns square. There are also plenty of shops, including a new shopping mall near the railway station.

Ayr Shopping Mall

There are plenty of places to visit in South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. Blairquhen Castle is only a few miles from Ayr. Check out quaint Alloway Village and visit the Burns National Heritage Park and Burns Cottage, where Robbie Burns the great bard was born and also buried. If you head along the coastal road from Ayr to Girvan, you pass the ruins of Dulnure Castle and you can also see Ailsa Craig, the large rock like island, just off the coast. On a clear day you can also see the Isle of Arran in the distance.

Burns Cottage

A must see is Culzean Castle, situated 12 miles south of Ayr and 4 miles west of Maybole. Culzean Castle is set on a massive estate overlooking the sea. There are guided tours of the castle, impressive gardens and a beautiful lake next to the summer house. If you head towards Girvan, with it's quaint harbour via Maidens, you pass by the world renowned Turnberry Golf Course and Hotel. For a beautiful, but windy drive take the A714 from Girvan to Newton Stewart via Barrhill.