Overview

We return once to the glorious West Coast of Bonnie Scotland to experience the wonders of the Ayrshire coast. We include a full day to the Isle of Arran often described as ‘Scotland in Miniature’ with a visit to Brodick Castle, a full day to the Isle of Bute and magnificent Mount Stuart We also enjoy excursions to Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Culzean Castle. Our base is Troon, which is home to one of the world’s greatest golf centres.

Your Accommodation:

Facing Troon’s seafront, looking across the Firth of Clyde to the Isle of arran, the South Beach hotel is renowned for its hospitality. The cosy en suite bedrooms are individually decorated in traditional style all with tea/coffee making facilities. Two cosy lounges, a bar and restaurant complete the public rooms. There is no lift but ground floor rooms are available

Your Itinerary:

Our door to door service takes you to the waiting Club Class coach for the drive north from our home area via Scotch Corner, to enter Scotland at Gretna Green, then on through the Lowther Hills and Kilmarnock to reach the Ayrshire coast late afternoon for a welcoming cup of tea or coffee at the South Beach Hotel.

Our excursion today takes us by ferry from nearby Ardrossan to Brodick on the majestic Isle of Arran where we begin a tour of the pretty coastal villages, moors, glens and dramatic mountains of the ‘Scotland in Miniature’ island. We include a visit to Brodick castle, a grand baronial castle set by the sea. After time for lunch we return to Brodick for the ferry back to the mainland.

A coastal drive takes us to Wemyss Bay for the ferry to Bute. We visit Mount Stuart a magnificent house set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland and coast. The beautiful interior includes lavish rooms, grand hallways and staircases. Later we enjoy a scenic tour of the island before returning to Rothesay for the ferry back to Ayrshire.

Down the coast to Ayr and Alloway, birthplace of Robbie Burns, where we spend time at the Burns Heritage Park offering a unique encounter with Scotland’s favourite son, then round the Heads of Ayr to Culzean Bay and the amazing optical illusion, ‘Electric Brae’. We include a visit to Culzean Castle, the dream castle created by the great architect Robert Adam. Its noted for the impressive gardens and a flat in the castle given to the late General Eisenhower.

Leaving Troon after breakfast we travel south through Nithdale, home of Robbie Burns, to Dumfries then Gretna. Into England, and by motorway to return to our home area late afternoon.

* Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.