History, whisky and misty fells are just some of the ingredients that make up the unique flavour of west Scotland’s coastline and islands
More than 80 miles of coastline make mainland Ayrshire a place of sea breezes and spectacular views. Seaside resorts such as Ayr, Girvan and Largs are full of ice cream and deck chairs, while inland the relics of heavy industry remind you of man’s hard-working heritage.
It’s no surprise that this land of natural beauty and human hardship provided Scotland’s greatest poet, Robert Burns, with so much inspiration.
If famous places as well as names take your fancy, Ayrshire has plenty of well-known castles, abbeys and mills steeped in Scotland’s turbulent history, ranging from the splendid grandeur of 18th-century Culzean Castle to the homely appeal of Dalgarven Mill.
But if you want all this encapsulated in one area, head to Arran. Often called ‘Scotland in miniature’, Arran not only has fells but also soft grassland, standing stones and the obligatory distillery, all within easy driving distance of each other.