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Issue 32 - Ayrshire & Arran

History & Heritage

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Scotland Magazine Issue 32

Scotland Magazine Issue 32
April 2007

 

This article is 4 years old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.

Copyright Scotland Magazine © 1999-2012. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.

Ayrshire & Arran

Ayrshire & Arran (Issue 32)
Where to stay
Arran
Argentine House
Whiting Bay
Seaside home in a pleasant setting and rated for its food including a good range of vegetarian options.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 700 662
www.argentinearran.co.uk

Auchrannie House
Brodick
Has benefited from investment and is bigger and more modern with facilities including a gym and a swimming pool. Overall it attempts to provide modern facilities in a country setting. The menu is impressive and of good quality and
with time share properties on site and other leisure facilities, it provides guests with a mix of city hotel and rural retreat.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 302 234
www.auchrannie.co.uk

Kilmichael House
Brodick
Nicely situated and relatively secluded mansion with elegant furnishings. It prides itself on its tranquility and so doesn’t allow children or groups but is noted for its outstanding food.
Tel: +44 (0) 1770 302 219
www.kilmichael.com

Lochranza Hotel
Lochranza
Small, basic but very pleasant homely hotel with views across the bay and over to the 13th century castle. Does a nice range of teas and light meals as well as food all day during the summer season.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 830 223
www.lochranza.co.uk

Ayrshire

Culzean Castle
Maybole
South of Ayr, this is an expensive and totally luxurious place to stay, with a clifftop setting, stunning gardens and outstanding facilities.
Tel: +44 (0)1655 760 615
www.culzeanexperience.org

Enterkine Hotel
Annbank, near Ayr
Another hotel noted for its fine food, and set in beautiful grounds.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 520 580
www.enterkine.com

Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae
An upmarket and modern hotel in South Ayrshire, representing the cutting edge of this region.
Tel: +44 (0)1465 831 212
www.glenappcastle.com

The Ivy House
Ayr
Stylish and impressive city meets country hotel with excellent food.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 442 336
No website

Piersland Hotel
Troon
Grandiose mansion house close to the famous Royal Troon Golf Course.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 314 747
www.piersland.co.uk

Westin Turnberry Resort
Turnberry
One of the great destination hotels in Scotland, the buildings form the centre of an extensive golf resort with two world class courses. Great facilities for all the family.
Tel: +44 (0)1655 331 000
www.turnberry.co.uk

Where to visit
Arran
Brodick Castle
Impressive castle with museum and gardens. Also has a tearoom.

Glenashdale Falls
Allow two hours to make the four kilometre walk through the forest to the Glenashdale Falls, at Whiting Bay. Not particularly strenuous and the walk is as worthwhile as the destination.

Goat Fell
Hill walk – see main feature.

Isle of Arran Distillery
Lochranza
Just won Whisky Magazine’s Icons of Whisky Scottish Distillery of the Year, and was also nominated for Global Distillery of the Year, so you shouldn’t miss it. Everything’s made easy here, with chatty and friendly staff and a great whisky at the end of the tour.

Machrie Moor Standing Stones
Off the main coast road seven kilometers north of Blackwater Foot. There are various groups of stones and it’s a great place to unwind.

Ayrshire

Burns Heritage Trail
A series of destinations which take you to the places that Burns frequented through his life. In Ayr is the graveyard where many of his friends and acquaintances are buried, and you can visit the Auld Brig ‘O Doon and the Auld Kirk where Tam o’ Shanter saw the witches. Close by you’ll also find the cottage he was born in and the Tam o’
Shanter Experience.

Burns An A’ that
Annual celebration of all things Burns and an event building itself an outstanding reputation for a programme of varied entertainment.

Golf
Okay, so not really a separate category as such and there are not many areas of Scotland which wouldn’t be able to claim an entry here. But with Royal Troon and Turnberry both in this region, and at Old Prestwick the original home of the Open, it’s impressive even by Scottish standards. Both Royal Troon and Turnberry are in the elitist league, but at Gailes, there are two stunning links courses side by side and they’re worth checking out.

Where to eat
Arran
Brodick Bar
Outstanding bar snacks in the day, a more bistro feel in the evening.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 302 169
No website

Burlington Hotel
Whiting Bay
During the summer season this is the place to come for quality and wholesome food, including organic dishes.
Tel: +44 (0) 1770 700 255
www.burlingtonarran.co.uk

Creelers
Brodick
A stylish place with some nice art and good food. Specialises in seafood. Worth calling to make sure it’s going to be open.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 302 810
www.creelers.co.uk

Distillery Restaurant
Lochranza
After one of the best whisky distillery tours anywhere in Scotland sit down in the restaurant for some excellent light meals.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 830 264
www.arranwhisky.com

The Lighthouse
Pirnmill
Good café bringing some city chic and funky dining experiences to the island. Overlooking Kintyre, this has a good range of eating options, and it has bunks too, so you can stay over.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 850 240
No website

Wineport
Cladach
No frills bistro close to the beginning and end of the Goatfell walk and an ideal place to refuel after a strenuous walk.
Tel: +44 (0)1770 302 977
No website

Ayrshire
Fouters
Ayr
Arguably the best food in this area, with a winning combination of interesting cooking styles and the very best in local produce. Bistro style atmosphere.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 261 391
www.fouters.co.uk

Braidwoods
by Dalry
Award winning restaurant with one Michelin star. The menus change daily to account for the very best quality produce. Booking is essential.
Tel: +44 (0)1294 833 544
www.braidwoods.co.uk

The Fruits de Mer
38 North Harbour Street Ayr KA8 8AH
Contemporary restaurant offering good seafood.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 282 962
No website

MacCallums
Troon
Harbourside bistro specialising in seafood.
Tel: +44 (0)1292 319 339
No website

The Wheatsheaf
near Ayr
Fine pub food including a famous steak pie.
Tel: +44 (0)1563 830 307
www.wheatsheafsymington.co.uk