Post It from Craigie Gardens CC site, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland. Tuesday 24th September 2013.

The coastal, scenic, journey here that we followed was a treat if somewhat further to travel. I am pleased Ally recommended I take the less direct route. At one point we stopped at a large layby with a viewpoint over the Firth of Clyde. It was on the A77 near Little Bennane and we could see the island of Alisa Craig, where the granite for the curling stones comes from, the Isle of Arran, the Mull of Kintyre and having got my compass out and checked the maps we could just see the coast of Northern Ireland. What a view despite it being a bit misty.

Ayr quickly arrived and finding the Morrisons for fuel before the campsite was easy, it was almost in the centre of the town and the campsite was just over the bridge crossing the River Ayr. The site was located in amongst the university and college area. There was easy access to a river side path leading from the site into the town centre and harbour and the camp site was well laid out with a perimeter of trees around a network of avenues with trees to separate them. It made for quite a good aspect from most pitches and we found one on an angle close to the toilet block so if the rain persisted we would not have far to go. As the weekend approached the site became full and we learned that the Ayr Gold Cup was on at the racetrack which was close to the camp site.

On the Thursday we explored the town centre on foot which had a very good mix of shops, M & S, BHS, TK Max, etc. The High Street had the Council buildings in the old Wallace Tower, built as a monument to the man who gave Scotland its independence from England, I think in the battle at Bannockburn near Stirling. We found the bus station and planned for our journey to Culzean Castle, the busses ran every hour each way and for the half hour journey it cost £14.70 return for the two of us. There were lots of places to eat and quite a few pubs, a cinema, leisure centre and much more. At last we had landed at somewhere that was very close to the centre of town with lots to do and absolutely no need for a car.

On Friday we got up early and caught the bus to Culzean Castle, the home of the Kennedy family which is now in National Trust hands, arriving just in time for opening. The castle is impressive and we were very lucky to be able to tag on the end of a guided tour, it was excellent and enabled us to understand much more about this beautiful home. It was Scotland’s first Country Park back in the 60’s so the large expanse of grounds and gardens were equally impressive. If you visit do not miss seeing the gas house where the family produced its own gas from coal to light the house and farm, the story of how this all happened was fascinating. By the time we had returned to the camp site we were tired out having spent all day on our feet.

The weather was improving and temperatures were rising so we booked extra days at the site and decide to spend a full week here. We rode down the riverside path and into the harbour area and then south along the promenade to Heads of Ayr and saw another of the Kennedy Castles, Greenan, this time a ruins. They call them castles but in reality this one was a tower house overlooking Ayr and from the guided tour at Culzean we learned the family owned lots of them throughout the area. At Doonfoot we saw a large number of Swans in the sea at the mouth of the River Doon and they were also present in the town centre on the River Ayr and at Culzean’s Swan Lake. I have never seen so many Swans in one area before. The cycle path also takes in the remains of the Citadel walls near to the harbour which was built by Oliver Cromwell.

Sunday was a relaxing day spent catching up with the chores and a walk to Ayr Racecourse to cast our eye over a local Sunday market and car boot sale. The day turned out very warm, almost 20 degrees and pleasantly hot in the sun which appeared for brief spells during the afternoon. Even Smokee, our cat, got out for a short time on our knee after lunch. It was the first time we had had our chairs out since Hawes and it was a good day for a barbeque so that is what we did that evening.

Monday brought a very warm day, but no sun unfortunately, it was perfect for cycling so off we went through the centre of Ayr and out to Alloway to visit Robert Burns birthplace. The village was very pretty and from the size and style of some of the houses it was a wealthy residential area. Burns was born in a cottage here in 1759 which is now open to the public. There is also a large museum all about him and it was quite good to listen to renditions of his songs and poems. We stood on the Brig O’ Doon, climbed up inside his Monument to view the gardens and visited the Auld Kirk which was the setting of his Tam O’ Shanter poem. The visit was well worth the ride and all part of the National Trust.

After lunch in the Burns Cottage gardens with the resident black and white cat we bought the most delicious looking scones and hard bread cakes for later that evening from the village Post Office. I just could not resist them but have decide we will need to watch our treats on this tour as cheese has become a favourite after dinner treat again. The bread was good but the scones looked better than they tasted. We then rode back along a cycle way that lead down to the coast at Greenan Castle and back along the seafront once again. Another lovely day out.

Back at the camp site I saw the Jim the warden, who had been a wealth of assistance to us during our stay. He was touring the site with a man who I discovered was the Area Manager for Scotland and Northumbria, David Grey. We had a most enjoyable conversation about Club matters and it was good to actually have the chance to personally pass on some comments and views and he was ready and willing to engage, which is good. A large area for one person to visit all the sites I thought.

We awoke to bright blue skies on our final day which was spent shopping around the town again and getting provisions for our next leg of the tour. After a conversation with Jim we decided to alter our plans slightly and head for Bunree and hopefully pitch up on the side of the loch. Ayr was an excellent site and the position, almost in the heart of the town, had been just too good to miss especially for someone in a motorhome with no car. There was no problem at all getting about on the bikes and we could have done lots more cycling from here, both north and south, on cycle ways. Public transport was easily accessible and the choice of shops was endless.

The one thing that we have noticed since arriving in Scotland is that the people on site, probably all members, are very good at acknowledging you as you pass and engaging in conversation at the drop of a hat. This is equalled by the general public you meet in the shops and elsewhere and almost without exception they have all been very pleasant. All shop staff seem to be ready and willing to assist and are always polite whilst providing a good level of customer service, not a trait often found in England these days I am afraid.

The day remained dry right up until it was time for me to cook our chicken dopiaza outside. Thankfully the rain was not heavy and I was able to shelter the pan under the cover of the cycle rack. Still the forecast for the rest of the week was dry so we had high hopes of enjoying Bunree. If we ever get back this way again then I would definitely make Ayr a place to stop, lovely in every way.

Regards, Roy