I am sure that I read somewhere that there was a challenge to write about your home town, or maybe I imagined it. Anyway, I noticed there was remarkably little about my Home Town - Royal Burgh of Ayr on Ciao, and thought I would dip back into my Ciao travel writing days of old, and share a little information with you.

If travelling by Train, the express from Glasgow runs every half hour, from early morning until late at night, and takes one hour.

The driving journey from NW England takes under 4 hours, and I have worn a rut in the road from doing it quite often, so I know.

For three/four star accommodation, the two biggest hotels in the area are the Ramada Jarvis, and the Station Hotel. I have stayed in the Ramada several times, as we used it when we were locating to the area some ten years ago, and it has been refurished since that time. The Station Hotel is an imposing red sandstone building beside the Railway Station. As from next week it will be the place of my employment, as I am about to set up and manage a new Reservations Contact Centre for the group. And you didn’t know you were so well connected did you. (Glasgow 2004 Meet people, please note, as we have a location in Glasgow too…)

If you fancy coming for a week, and don’t mind caravan style accommodation, the three biggest parks are the Heads of Ayr, and Craig Tara, which are both on the coast just south of town; or Sundrum Castle, which is about three miles East of Town on the A70. Of course these prices vary enormously depending on the season.

Within the town itself, there are a couple of nice Wine Bar Bistro places including Caprice, and there are also several “pub” style places e.g. a Wetherspoons, and “The Four Cats” which is similar Fayre.

If it is a quaint setting, then my favourite pub has got to be the Stair Inn, just a few miles out of town up the A70 and across to Stair. It is a beautiful setting to sit outside and have a glass of wine. They do good quality but simple cooked food too, and in winter there is a roaring fire going.

Probably Ayr’s most famous resident was Robert (Rabbie) Burns who was born in Alloway in 1759 and whose birthday is celebrate on 25 January each year with a good ole burns supper. A visit to Burns National Heritage Park should definitely be on your list. You can get to see the cottage and museum; which hosts a large collection of Robert Burns Manuscripts. You know he wrote a lot of poems, yet he died at a really young age too.

Carry on down the Coast and you will come to Culzean Castle eventually. This fantastic property and grounds is now in the hands of National Trust for Scotland. I never tire of visiting here, and wandering about the grounds, especially in winter, when its crisp and dry, and there are often special events held. There is a visitors centre, and the obligatory shop and coffee house. The top floor of the castle was given to General Eisenhower in 1945 and is run as a small hotel, often used for weddings. Personally, we like to go for the woodland walks, and to see the deer, Swan Pond and fabulous gardens. The view is fantastic as well, across to Ireland, looking at Ailsa, and also Arran, Holy Island and Campeltown beyond that to the west, and the Northern Ayrshire towns and beaches. The property has three miles of coast line.

Sticking with the South West coast line, and you must experience the “Electric Brae” or “Croy Brae”. This is a peculiar phenomena, where as you follow the road and the coastline, you will think you are heading downhill, when in fact it is uphill. It is an optical illusion. By the side of the road there is a little stream , and if it is full, you can observe water running up hill. If you have a bicycle, you will be able to apparently freewheel uphill, yet struggle to ride downhill. Its on the way to Culzean, and is generally enjoyed by all.

Souter Johnnies Cottage, is also ran by the National Trust, and is in the village of Kirkoswald. This is the home of the original shoemaker (souter), and is a delightful thatched cottage, containing period furniture.

You can get the ferry to Arran from Ardrossan, and experience Scotland in Miniature, which is the subject of a separate opinion of mine recently. Arran attractions include Brodick and its Castle, Golf, Arran Brewery, and the great Goat Fell.

If you want to hit the shops, Ayr is considered the major shopping area in the three Ayrshire’s. Ok, so it isnt as good as Glasgow, but it is pretty good, for most items, and has a blend of High Street and smaller stores. My favourite designer jewellery shop is Christine Sadler. There is also a fantastic boutique wine shop, Corney and Barrow, and it is like stepping into someone’s fantastic cellar, complete with dusty bottles. There are loads of decent art stores too, that will often have displays of great Scottish Artists. The main street is pedestrianised.

Play Golf. The West of Scotland has some fine links courses, and lots of championship courses a stones throw away too, including Turnberry, Troon and Old Prestwick. There are loads of municipal courses where you can pay and play, and out of season you can just show up. You can also buy a pass from South Ayrshire Council to cover you, if you want to make a week of it.

Walks. There are lots of marked footpaths close to town, including the Ayr River walk, and walks around Auchencruvie. Slightly further south you can walk paths varying between 5 and 8 miles from the Barr area. There are lots of parks close to town too, including Belleisle.

Carry up the coast and you get to Largs, which is home to the Vikingar museum, Nardini’s famous ice cream shops, and is the port for the ferry to Millport; or for a quieter pace you can try the Kelburn Country Park, which has a 1000 year old tree in its grounds.

And finally, the City of Glasgow is within one hour’s drive, and the Bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond another half hour after that.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary fit,
Sin' auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl'd in the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin' auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right gude-willie waught,
For auld lang syne.