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Ayr, once the county town of Ayrshire and still the seat of the unitary council, is the largest town in its area. Famous as a shopping hub since its first department store opened at the end of the nineteenth century, Ayr still has not only a shopping centre on its outskirts but one in the centre of town with an underground parking structure. Various other shops still line the town's streets.
Activities and attractions
The first Parliament of Scotland was called by King Robert I, called Robert the Bruce, and sat in St. John's Church in Ayr. A later monarch, Mary, Queen of Scots, once stayed here overnight. All that stands now is the St. John's Tower, a fifteenth century addition to the old church.
King Robert's mother Marjorie held the title of Countess of Carrick in her own right, and her lands lay near to Ayr. She is said to have imprisoned her husband, a scion of the line of King David I, until he agreed to their marriage. After her death Robert actively supported the Scots cause in the Wars of Independence, in the process burning Ayr Castle, which was then held by the English.
It was also at Ayr in 1666 that the infamous hanging of the Covenanters occurred. Eight men had been sentenced to execution at the Ayr court for their participation in religious conflict centring around the abuse of an elderly Covenanter by Royalist troops. The local hangman refused to do the deed, and no one in the area was willing to take his place. The authorities then offered a devil's bargain to the condemned men themselves: one of them could go free in return for his services in hanging the rest. Sadly, Cornelius Anderson agreed and the executions were carried out on December 27th. Their bodies still lie in the Auld Kirk's churchyard, marked by a single stone monument.
Just south of Ayr in the village of Alloway Robert Burns was born. His birthplace, Burns Cottage, has been turned into a museum. The National Trust maintains a separate Burns Heritage Centre. Visitors may enjoy seeking out the locations in the town that appear in Burns's poem Tam o' Shanter. Burns's father is buried in the Alloway Auld Kirk, now a ruin. The site is illuminated at night to give it a ghostly green glow suited to its role in the poem.
Ayr Racecourse is one of the most famous features of the city. The 13 furlong left-handed course is host to many of Scotland's most prestigious equine competitions, including the Ayr Gold Cup, the Scottish Derby and the Scottish Grand National. There are separate tracks for flat and National Hunt racing. About thirty meets are held here each year. The course hosts a local market each Sunday except when race meets interfere.
Access and Places to Stay
Ayr also has a huge sandy beach facing the Isle of Arran. The town is also popular with cyclists and hillwalkers. It sits on the A79 coast road near the end of the M77, making access by car simple. The town is also well served by rail and bus connections, and is only a few miles from the famous Prestwick Airport, and a slightly longer way from the new Glasgow Abbotsinch facility with its major international carriers. Ayr is well supplied with dining and lodging options and boasts some of the best nightlife outside Glasgow itself.
Accommodation in Ayr
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